Comments Thread For: Joshua-Klitschko Live Broadcast Drew 659K Viewers for Showtime

[bigdunny1]

It broke Showtime's previous afternoon boxing ratings record guys. How big beyond that did it need to get lol?

I mean Klitschko is considered a boring old HW by casuals & this fight probably will end up being Joshua's mainstream cherry popping fight for many cats. This isn't like some prime Tyson fight going to the UK type ratings situation. Breaking the Showtime record is YUUUGGGGGE & impressive on its own.

You are grading on a curve I'm not even sure what other big UK fights Showtime has ever aired anyway. Or even which ones they aired live in afternoon without tape delay. You need that context for that to mean anything. Regardless this is about HALF the US ratings that Klitchko did his last fight which didn't have anywhere near the buzz as this fight. I think Showtime and HBO shot themselves in the foot with their hold out over TV rights. Had both had more time to properly promote the fight I think this fight hits 1m viewers. Instead likely Showtime and HBO will both do far less viewers then either would of done if they had a full 1-2months to promote the fight on their networks.

[Butch.McRae]

You are grading on a curve I'm not even sure what other big UK fights Showtime has ever aired anyway. Or even which ones they aired live in afternoon without tape delay. You need that context for that to mean anything. Regardless this is about HALF the US ratings that Klitchko did his last fight which didn't have anywhere near the buzz as this fight. I think Showtime and HBO shot themselves in the foot with their hold out over TV rights. Had both had more time to properly promote the fight I think this fight hits 1m viewers. Instead likely Showtime and HBO will both do far less viewers then either would of done if they had a full 1-2months to promote the fight on their networks.

I think this sums it up. Everybody I know who are casuals heard about the fight after or via Twitter. (I'm based in NYC)

Joshua's star is rising here now though. The word of mouth has been significant. Getting many texts/calls about it.

[Bobby Tony]

Do they count people who DVR it

[Eff Pandas]

I'm not bashing, if that's the impression you got. I just wish it did better. Considering how big it was to the sport, the viewership didn't reflect that, IMO.

I don't think either guy is important to US casual boxing fans doe. Klitschko is probably seen as old news or simply boring if he's considered at all these days. And Joshua is still an unknown to US casuals. This fight probably puts him more on the US casual fan map.

Rarely do hardcore fans wants & casual fans wants even meet. Hell I bet most casuals were talking about the big fight next week with Canelo vs JCC Jr than watching this fight on Saturday despite most hardcore fans feeling like this fight was wayyyyyy more compelling & competitive a fight.

[The Time]

I'm going to guess HBO's delayed broadcast did higher ratings.
We'll soon find out.

[Sweet Jones]

You are grading on a curve I'm not even sure what other big UK fights Showtime has ever aired anyway. Or even which ones they aired live in afternoon without tape delay. You need that context for that to mean anything. Regardless this is about HALF the US ratings that Klitchko did his last fight which didn't have anywhere near the buzz as this fight. I think Showtime and HBO shot themselves in the foot with their hold out over TV rights. Had both had more time to properly promote the fight I think this fight hits 1m viewers. Instead likely Showtime and HBO will both do far less viewers then either would of done if they had a full 1-2months to promote the fight on their networks.

Almost exactly a year ago, Joshua-Martin did 275K (LINK)

Joshua-Molina did 370K in Dec '16.(LINK)

Both were broadcast live in the afternoon on Showtime.

Not really sure what the 'disappointment' would be when the kid has dayum near doubled his viewership in a year while having NOT fought statewide in the US market.

But to each his own.

[MrRolltide91]

Not sure but I think the Fury fight pulled over 1M in the afternoon on HBO and 1.7M(?) in prime-time re-broadcast.

I thought Show #'s were usually around 25% less so it's not all too far off from that, though I think this was seen as a bigger fight so...

You are correct

http://www.boxingscene.com/fury-klitschko-draws-heavyweight-numbers-hbo--98847

[JASON SHAW]

boxingscene WHERE ARE THE HBO RATINGS? WHERE AE THE GOLDEN GIRL ON ESPN2 RATINGS???

[JASON SHAW]

i'm going to guess hbo's delayed broadcast did higher ratings.
We'll soon find out.

hbo is in 27% more homes than showtime.... They are supposed to beat them everytime....

[The Time]

You are grading on a curve I'm not even sure what other big UK fights Showtime has ever aired anyway. Or even which ones they aired live in afternoon without tape delay. You need that context for that to mean anything. Regardless this is about HALF the US ratings that Klitchko did his last fight which didn't have anywhere near the buzz as this fight. I think Showtime and HBO shot themselves in the foot with their hold out over TV rights. Had both had more time to properly promote the fight I think this fight hits 1m viewers. Instead likely Showtime and HBO will both do far less viewers then either would of done if they had a full 1-2months to promote the fight on their networks.

Yup, Showtime and HBO definitely **** themselves in the foot with the rights to air on network battle.

The resolution they came to could have been resolved way sooner. They had less than 2 weeks to promote. So yeah, they only have themselves to blame.