Two weeks ago I wrote an article entitled Why the Gold Cup Final Should Be on FOX, which argued that the chance of a USA against Mexico Gold Cup Final would have been a potential home run ratings bonanza for FOX.  However FOX stuck to its guns and decided to keep the final on FOX Soccer instead of putting it on FOX, the broadcast TV network.  It is a decision I believe they would like to have back.

It was an accomplishment for FOX as FOX Soccer almost drew a million viewers and earned a 1.47 overnight share rating. That was their highest audience number ever and the first time FOX Soccer received over a 1.0 rating.  However the majority of the people viewing the game in the United States was on Spanish language channel Univision.  Univision, readily available across the country, received about eight million viewers for its coverage of the match.  The eight million viewers for Univision’s coverage topped the viewing for all shows in the US last week — all television shows in all languages, beating NBC’s reality shows such as America’s Got Talent and the season premiere of HBO’s True Blood.  At this time the staff at Nielsen (the television ratings people) are checking to see if this is indeed the first time a Spanish channel’s airing has topped the charts.

A difference of nearly seven million viewers between FOX Soccer and Univision is almost as big a disparity as the number of Mexican fans to American fans at the Rose Bowl.  There is simply no doubt that if FOX had aired the game on its national network that they would’ve hit the jackpot.  They would have attracted the casual fan through a simple ad campaign in the run up — as simple as their ads get when it comes to its weekly MLB coverage and its NASCAR coverage.  Casual fans would have definitely tuned in, as we’ve seen previously during last year’s World Cup.  They would have convinced the hard core followers of soccer in America that they are fully committed to their soccer coverage.  FOX had prior shown some commitment with the recent rebranding of FSC but I believe this mistake has caused much speculation amongst fans.

FOX missed a sitter on Saturday night.

As recently reported, FSC FOX Soccer is going through an exciting rebrand in time for the new EPL season.  As exciting as that sounds, FOX is missing a chance to generate buzz right now with the Gold Cup.  The Gold Cup, now in its knockout stages, will have possibly two weekend games for the US men’s national team — which is a source of very good ratings.  Yet FOX Soccer will probably have these games on FOX Soccer and not on FOX, the national TV network.

FOX has shown enthusiasm with its increased soccer coverage by having on-site coverage of the Champions League Final shown on the FOX network.  Granted the coverage was subpar, but the fact that a US network was willing to set up shop in Europe for a game was unprecedented (and costly).  A live on-site broadcast of  the Gold Cup Final for LA based FOX would be far cheaper and would allow FOX to reap the rewards of a potential USA vs Mexico final.  FOX has an extremely simple task of just setting up their Soccer Night in America studio at the Rose Bowl and allowing JP Dellacamera and Kyle Martino to provide their coverage to a nationwide audience of rabid soccer fans watching FOX, the TV network.

Now FOX could go the extra mile and pick up the Jamaica quarterfinal match at RFK this Sunday but it’s a little late for that.  It’s a shame because it could have possibly garnered decent ratings on Fathers Day away from a Tiger-less US Open on NBC.

If you’re wondering, FOX’s coverage of NASCAR ended a few weeks ago so the Sunday afternoon slot is currently empty.  Saturday nights for FOX involve COPS and America’s Most Wanted which are not vital programs and could sit the night out.  So the call goes out to you…do you think FOX should show the Gold Cup Final on FOX, the national TV network which is in more than 102 million homes nationwide? Share your opinions in the comments section below.