UEFA Final Sets ESPN2 & ESPN Deportes Records

Yesterday’s historic UEFA Champions League final live on ESPN2 from the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow  -- Manchester United vs. Chelsea in the first-ever final between two English teams – was ESPN2’s highest-rated and most-watched UEFA telecast in history, totaling 218 matches.  It also was the highest rating ever for ESPN Deportes, which has received Hispanic sample ratings since April 28.

The telecast, aired Wednesday, May 21, at 2:30 p.m. ET, was seen on ESPN2 by an average of 798,000 homes (and 1,097,000 viewers, P2+), based on a 0.8 rating.  The network’s previous UEFA record was the 2006 final, 613,000 homes (and 770,000 viewers), based on a 0.7 rating.

On ESPN Deportes, the Spanish-language telecast earned a 4.5 Hispanic coverage rating, representing 153,000 Hispanic homes, the highest rating the network has ever received.  Combined with ESPN2, in the U.S. ESPN networks delivered 951,000 household impressions and 1,310,000 viewers (P2+).

Manchester United became kings of Europe for the third time on a night of high drama and emotion as they beat Chelsea 6-5 on penalties after a 1-1 draw after extra time.  Manchester United veteran Ryan Giggs scored in the seventh round of penalty kicks and Edwin van der Sar made his only save on Chelsea's next attempt for the victory.

The Champions League final is the world’s premier club soccer competition, and ESPN presented it around the world to a record number of fans in the U.S., Latin America, Africa, the Pacific Rim, Asia and Canada, totaling over 115 countries and territories and over 185 million households.

Instant Classic

ESPN Classic will re-air the telecast as an Instant Classic on Saturday, May 24, at 8 p.m.  ET.

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