The opening game of Euro 2016 was watched by a viewing average of 662,000. The game between France and Romania was televised live on ESPN2 on Friday, June 10 from 3-5pm ET.
In comparison to Euro 2012, the viewing average per game was 1.3 million. The final between Italy and Spain on ESPN netted a viewing average of 4.068 million, so there’s certainly a lot of room for the ratings to improve and perhaps beat the Euro 2012 record.
At the same time, it should be noted that the Euro 2016 opening game was originally scheduled to be televised live on ESPN but was moved two days before the final in order to broadcast the Muhammad Ali memorial service on the main ESPN network.
SEE MORE: Highs and lows of ESPN’s Euro 2016 opening weekend
While the TV viewing number for France-Romania is promising, how did it do in comparison to the opening game of the 2016 Copa America Centenario that was televised live on FOX Sports 1? The game between USA and Colombia was watched by a viewing average of 1.536 million. And that match was shown in primetime. (ESPN2 is in 89 million homes, while FOX Sports 1 is in 83 million homes).
SEE MORE: Schedule of Euro 2016 games on US TV and streaming
It’ll be interesting to see how the TV ratings for Euro 2016 progress in comparison to Copa America Centenario.
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