This past weekend saw an astonishing 612,000 viewers tune in for the Wisconsin vs Nebraska game, and we are not talking about the football.
The NCAA women’s volleyball match, between the Badgers and the Cornhuskers outperformed the Nebraska vs Northwestern football clash (560,000 viewers).
The college volleyball match, won by Nebraska in five sets almost eclipsed the 684,000 Illinois vs Wisconsin football match on FOX FS 1.
According to Sports Media Watch writer John Lewis the volleyball game outperformed the football match, which is ludicrously real and evidence of a spike in volleyball viewership.
“Keep in mind that college volleyball postseason matches have averaged larger audiences, including a seven-figure audience for the 2021 national championship match.
“BTN is now averaging 142,000 viewers for college volleyball this season, up 13%,” he writes.
Lewis believes the upcoming women’s volleyball clash between Minnesota and Wisconsin will exceed even this record.
“The new record is unlikely to last for long. FOX will carry a college volleyball match for the first time this coming weekend, airing Minnesota-Wisconsin immediately following its NFL coverage in much of the country on Sunday.
“(FOX will air Ohio State-Michigan prior to the NFL in markets receiving a late NFL game). In the same post-NFL window on FOX this past Sunday, PBA bowling averaged 1.19 million.”
NCAA women’s volleyball will air for the first time on ABC in December and the sport will likely soar in popularity.
