Gillette Home Run Derby Presented by Head & Shoulders is ESPN’s Most-Viewed and Highest-Rated Since 2009

Gillette Home Run Derby Presented by Head & Shoulders is ESPN’s Most-Viewed and Highest-Rated Since 2009

Home Run Derby Telecast Averages 7,126,000 Viewers and 4.2 Household Rating

ESPN’s exclusive telecast of the 2015 Gillette Home Run Derby presented by Head & Shoulders, averaged 7,126,000 viewers (P2+) and a 4.2 US household rating, according to Nielsen, making it the most-viewed and highest-rated Home Run Derby since 2009 (8,250,000 viewers and 5.1 rating).

ESPN won the night among all networks (broadcast and cable) in viewers, as well as all key male and adult demos. The Home Run Derby was the highest-rated telecast on cable among households, viewers (P2+) and adults 25-54; it was also the highest-rated telecast on both broadcast and cable among adults 18-34 and 18-49, and in all the key male demos (18-34, 18-49 and 25-54).

Viewership was up 32 percent (5,402,000 viewers in 2014) while the rating witnessed a 24 percent increase (3.4 rating) from a year ago. It peaked from 9:30-10 p.m. ET with a 4.5 rating and from 10-10:30 p.m. with 7,517,000 viewers.

Cincinnati Reds slugger Todd Frazier, competing at his home stadium, Great American Ball Park, was crowned champion as Major League Baseball introduced a new, tournament-style format and timed rounds.

Cincinnati sets ratings record

Host market Cincinnati drew a 19.6, the highest local market rating for a Home Run Derby telecast ever on ESPN. The top five markets:

Home Run Derby on WatchESPN

For the Home Run Derby on WatchESPN, there were 256,000 unique viewers, a 14 percent increase year-over-year, and 12.4 million total minutes viewed, a 10 percent increase.

2015 All-Star Legends & Celebrity Softball Game

In addition to the success of the Home Run Derby, ESPN’s telecast of the 2015 All-Star Legends & Celebrity Softball Game delivered a 1.7 rating and 2,972,000 viewers, making it the highest-rated and most-viewed Celebrity Softball game since 2010 (2.1 rating and 3,201,000 viewers).

On deck: ESPN will open its coverage of the second half of the MLB season with Sunday Night Baseball presented by Taco Bell – Boston Red Sox at Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim – on July 19, at 8 p.m. ET.

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