Sunday’s Manchester derby that aired on NBCSN and Telemundo averaged 1.4 million viewers, which was 18% greater than the viewership for the 2017 MLS Cup final that aired on ESPN, UniMas and Univision Deportes.
Manchester City won the match 2-1 in an impressive performance at Old Trafford to continue their unbeaten streak to 14 matches in the Premier League.
With anticipation reaching a fever pitch for the Manchester United-Manchester City game, the game averaged 902,000 viewers on NBCSN. Plus, the derby averaged 495,000 viewers on Telemundo for a combined total of 1,397,000 viewers.
The 902,000 viewing number means it’s the most-watched Premier League match of the season on cable for NBC Sports. Plus the Manchester derby was the highest-rated Premier League game on Telemundo so far this season.
Sunday’s broadcast featured special guest Roberto Martinez at half-time and post-match to analyze one of the most eagerly anticipated games of the weekend. The match itself was commentated by Arlo White and Lee Dixon.
Viewership for the MLS Cup final was 1.1 million across ESPN (803,000 viewers) and UniMas/Univision Deportes (304,000 viewers). For Major League Soccer, the 2017 edition of the MLS Cup final saw a viewing decrease of 43% compared to last year’s final.
Meanwhile, in the other derby aired on US television this past weekend, 594,000 tuned in to watch the 1-1 draw between Liverpool and Everton.
