ESPN's Dominance Soars: Unparalleled Viewership and Digital Engagement

ESPN's Fiscal Year 24 (October 2023 – September 2024) has been a resounding success, with the network experiencing a nearly 20-year high in prime time viewership and a near-decade high in total day viewership for its main linear productions. This remarkable achievement is a testament to the network's unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional sports content and engaging its audience like never before.

Captivating Audiences Across Platforms

Linear TV Viewership Reaches New Heights

During the past 12 months, sports fans consumed a staggering 533 billion minutes of ESPN programming (ESPN and 'ESPN on ABC'), with 202 billion minutes coming in prime time. Across ESPN and 'ESPN on ABC,' the total minutes were up 7% and 8% in prime time from ESPN's FY23, a trend that continues to build upon the network's already impressive viewership.Looking back further, the total day consumption was up 10% from FY22 and 24% from FY21, a remarkable trajectory that has been steadily climbing since 2016. In prime time, the 202 billion minutes was the best performance since 2006, showcasing ESPN's unparalleled ability to captivate audiences during the most coveted viewing hours.The network's success was driven by individual quarter achievements, including double-digit increases in Q2 and Q3, further solidifying ESPN's position as the premier destination for sports enthusiasts.

Dominance in the Key 18-49 Demographic

ESPN's programming also saw a significant uptick in total minutes consumed within the coveted 18-49 demographic, approaching nearly 200 billion minutes during the fiscal year. This impressive performance underscores the network's ability to engage and retain the attention of the most valuable audience segment, cementing its status as a powerhouse in the industry.

Maintaining Industry Leadership

ESPN's linear platforms have continued to solidify their position as the industry's top choice, with the network maintaining its historical status as the No. 1 sports network in terms of average audience. This year, ESPN was ranked No. 3 on cable, trailing only two news networks, a remarkable achievement that further cements its dominance.Across its linear platforms, ESPN increased its already industry-leading share of sports viewership, finishing the year at 31%, nearly 10% better than its closest competitor. This remarkable feat demonstrates the network's unparalleled ability to captivate and retain its audience, solidifying its position as the go-to destination for sports enthusiasts.

ESPN+ Achieves Record-Breaking Success

ESPN's streaming platform, ESPN+, has also experienced remarkable success, achieving numerous milestones across a variety of properties during the past 12 months. The platform's achievements are a testament to the network's commitment to innovation and its ability to adapt to the evolving media landscape.

ESPN Digital and Social Media Dominance

ESPN's digital and social media platforms have continued to lead the industry, showcasing the network's ability to engage audiences across multiple touchpoints.On the digital front, ESPN.com and its associated properties averaged nearly 112 million unique visitors per month, setting a new platform record. This impressive figure represents a 3.2 million (3%) increase from the previous fiscal year, which was already a record-setting year for the network.For 30 consecutive months (March 2022 – present), ESPN Digital has maintained its position as the industry leader, including during the peak of the 2024 Summer Olympics. Compared to its nearest competitor, ESPN Digital boasts a 54% advantage in unique visitors, further solidifying its dominance.ESPN's social media platforms have also experienced remarkable success, with the network's social engagements surpassing its nearest competitor by a staggering 50%. This fiscal year, ESPN Social generated an impressive 8.5 billion social engagements, an 82% increase from FY21.Contextualizing the reach of ESPN's digital and social platforms, the network's combined monthly audience encompasses 66% of the United States adult population and 82% of adults in the key 18-49 demographic.

YouTube Dominance and Growth

ESPN's YouTube content has also experienced impressive growth, with the network's channel averaging 48.5 million unique visitors per month. This represents a 21% year-over-year increase and a remarkable 277% growth from FY21, showcasing the network's ability to captivate audiences across multiple digital platforms.