Originally Posted by rzt:
“The second half averaged 8.1m (52%). Dunno about the first half. During the 2nd half, the other 4 terrestrial channels had a combined audience of about 3m (18%). Yesterday's final did better than previous finals involving Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea:
Previous FA Cup Final Ratings:
2007: Chelsea 1 Manchester United 0
Programme 12.40-6.00: 7.0m (53.7%)
Match 3.00-5.30: 9.7m (62.62%)
Peak 5:15 and 5:30: 11.5m (65.3%)
2006: Liverpool 3 West Ham United 3 (Liverpool won 3-1 on pens)
Programme 1.00-6.00: 6.5m (51.9%)
Match 3.00-5.45: 8.8m (62%)
Peak 5.30-5.45: 11.3m (64.7%)
2005: Arsenal 0 Manchester United 0 (Arsenal won 5-4 on pens)
Programme 1.00-6.10: 7.3m (50.5%)
Match 3.00-6.00: 9.9m (61%)
Peak 5.30: 12.8m (67.1%)
2004: Manchester United 3 Millwall 0
Programme 1.00-5.30: 4.3m (44%)
Match: 6.3m (55%)
Peak: 6.8m
2003: Arsenal 1 Southampton 0
Programme 12.10-5.20: 5.3m (44.4%)
Match: 8.3m
Peak 4.50: 9.7m (55.7%)
2002: Arsenal 2 Chelsea 0
Programme 12.10-5.25: 4.1m (43%)
Match: 6.3m
Peak: 7.4m”
From the Guardian:
2008: Portsmouth 1 Cardiff 0
Programme 12.40-5.30: 5m (41%)
Match: 7.3m
Peak 4.30-4.45: 8.3m (52%)
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2008...gs.television2
Compared to recent finals, it didn't draw as much interest as the last three. It beat Man United-Millwall, which arguably shows that having two competitive teams is better than having one big team and one team with no perceived chance of winning. But, overall, it's still of more interest to have two top flight teams in the final, I think. The peak comparison isn't necessarily fair, since the last few finals went to extra-time (two to penalties) which naturally draw more interest.
Sky Sports:
Programme 2.00-5.30: 568,000 (5%)
Match: 646,000
Peak 4.45-5.00: 724,000.