Women's World Cup News: Ratings, Letterman and more

A few updates on the Women's World Cup now that it's over.  We'll start with the ratings, which were boffo!

2011 Women’s World Cup Finals: ESPN’s Most-Viewed and Highest-Rated Soccer Match

Sixth Most-Viewed Soccer Telecast in U.S.; Second Most-Watched Daytime Program in Cable History;

Record Audience for a Women’s Sports Event on ESPN3.com

 

Sunday’s 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup Finals between the United States and Japan – which crowned Japan as tournament champion on a penalty shootout after the match ended in a 2-2 tie – was seen by an average 13.458 million viewers, based on a 7.4 U.S. household rating (8.58 million household impressions), making it the most-watched and highest-rated soccer telecast on an ESPN network, based on fast nationals by the Nielsen Company.

 

The USA-Japan thriller bests the USA-Algeria men’s match (June 23, 2010) from last summer’s FIFA World Cup, which set the previous ESPN records for both ratings and viewership – 6.16 million viewers, based on a 4.0 household U.S. rating (4.58 million households).

 

The match also ranks as the sixth most-viewed soccer telecast ever in the United States.

 

Also, the USA will be represented on the Late Show with David Letterman Tuesday by Hope Solo and Abby Wambach.  Earlier on Tuesday, the pair will be joined by their teammates on Good Morning America.