ESPN’s US Open Overnight Ratings up 33%

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ESPN’s US Open Overnight Ratings up 33%

Photo of Dave Nagle Dave Nagle Follow on Twitter August 29, 2019
Queens, NY - August 27, 2019: Cori Gauff competing in the 2019 US Open. (Photo by Scott Clarke / ESPN Images)

Coco Gauff, Nadal Tonight; Federer, Serena on Friday

Kobe Bryant Visits ESPN’s Set, Booth Tonight

After three days of exclusive live coverage, ESPN’s overnight ratings for the US Open are up 33% compared to 2018, to a 0.8 rating (includes ESPN2 telecasts).  Wednesday night’s rating on was a 1.1, the best so far and equaling the best achieved in the first or second round on record (back to 2009).  Each telecast to date has improved upon 2018.

Tonight’s Matches Highlighted by Coco Gauff, Nadal; Kobe Bryant Visits

Tonight’s second round matches on ESPN2 are highlighted by 15-year old sensation Coco Gauff at 7 p.m. ET vs. Timea Babos.  The winner will face top seed Naomi Osaka.  In the night’s later match, Rafael Nadal will play Thanasi Kokkinakis.

Basketball legend Kobe Bryant will visit the ESPN set with host Chris McKendry and John McEnroe when Primetime at the US Open begins at 7 p.m.  He later will visit the booth with Chris Fowler and Chrissie Evert.

Friday’s Action

Wednesday’s winners will open third round play on Friday, Aug. 30, including Roger Federer, Serena Williams, Novak Djokovic facing American Denis Kudla and an all-American battle between Madison Keys and Sofia Kenin.

First Take Visits the US Open; John McEnroe to Join Show

For the first time, ESPN’s popular debate show First Take will visit the US Open tomorrow, Friday, for its 10 a.m. – noon timeslot.  The show features Stephen A. Smith, Max Kellerman and moderator Molly Qerim Rose.  ESPN analyst John McEnroe will join the discussion.

ESPN & the US Open

ESPN has exclusive live action to the US Open with more than 160 hours on television and 1,300 more streaming live on the ESPN app via ESPN+ and ESPN3.  The daily action from the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center will culminate with the Women’s Championship on Saturday, Sept. 7, and the Men’s Championship on Sunday, Sept. 8, both at 4 p.m. ET.

 

Upcoming Schedule

Date Time (ET) Event Network(s)
Aug 26 – Sep 4 11 a.m. US Open – up to 16 courts ESPN+

ESPN3
   
Thur Aug 29 Noon US Open Second Round ESPN
  6 p.m. US Open Second Round ESPN2
  7 p.m. Primetime at the US Open presented by IBM – Second Round ESPN2
Fri Aug 30 Noon US Open Third Round ESPN
  6 p.m. US Open Third Round ESPN2
  7 p.m. Primetime at the US Open presented by IBM – Third Round ESPN2
Sat Aug 31 11 a.m. US Open Third Round ESPN2
  7 p.m. Primetime at the US Open presented by IBM – Third Round ESPN2
Sun Sep 1 11 a.m. US Open Round of 16 ESPN
  7 p.m. Primetime at the US Open presented by IBM – Round of 16 ESPN2
Mon Sept 2 11 a.m. US Open Round of 16 ESPN2
  7 p.m. Primetime at the US Open presented by IBM – Round of 16 ESPN2

 

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Photo of Dave Nagle Dave Nagle Follow on Twitter August 29, 2019
Photo of Dave Nagle

Dave Nagle

As I write this on 11-11-21, it's now 35 years for me at ESPN, the only real job I’ve ever had. I joined merely to help with the upcoming America’s Cup in Australia. I was told it would be for three months at all of $5.50 per hour. I like to say I simply kept showing up. I’ve worked on almost every sport, plus answered viewer calls and letters (people used to write!), given tours, written the company newsletter and once drove NASCAR’s Jeff Gordon to the local airport. My travels have been varied…I’ve been to Martinsville, Darlington, Indy and Super Bowls; the America’s Cup (all 3) in San Diego and College GameDay in the sport’s meccas such as Eugene, Auburn, Lubbock, Stillwater and more; the NBA Finals, Wimbledon (16 times and counting) and the “other Bristol,” the one with a race track in Tennessee. These days, my main areas are tennis, UFC, boxing, network-wide ratings (by month/quarter/year), and corporate communications documents, including fact sheets, chronologies, lists and nearly 35 of the Year in Review press releases. UPDATE EXACTLY ONE YEAR LATER: Today, November 11, 2022, I am retiring from ESPN -- 36 years to the day I began. As I ride off into the sunset – top down and E Street Radio blaring – I do so with so many wonderful memories, proud of my contributions and a heart full of gratitude for the opportunity. 
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