The 2016 FA Cup Final between Manchester United and Crystal Palace scored the best viewing audience ever for a game on the over-the-air FOX network.
The match, which was televised live on FOX from 12:30-3:10pm ET, had a viewing audience average of 1,018,000 people. The number is the highest for the final since it began airing on FOX in 2013.
Given Manchester United’s popularity in the United States, the number wasn’t surprising since the previous FA Cup finals on FOX featured the popular (but less popular than United) teams of Arsenal, Manchester City, Aston Villa and Hull City.
Still, the number is a positive step in the right direction for FOX.
FA Cup Finals in audience numbers:
2016 FA Cup Final: Manchester United vs. Crystal Palace: 1,018,000 viewers on FOX
2015 FA Cup Final: Arsenal vs. Aston Villa: 809,000 viewers on FOX
2014 FA Cup Final: Arsenal vs. Hull City: 880,000 viewers on FOX
2013 FA Cup Final: Manchester City vs. Wigan Athletic: 781,000 viewers on FOX
The match was part of FOX’s first-ever soccer double-header on the over-the-air network featuring a FA Cup Final and Major League Soccer game. The MLS game featured New York City FC against New York Red Bulls, which drew 595,000 on FOX and 41,000 on FOX Deportes.
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