USA Pro Challenge TV ratings

[Colorado Media Newsroom]

From The Denver Post:


Cycling got a boost from NBC when the USA Pro Challenge got 29 hours of coverage over seven days, more than any other domestic cycling event. Colorado tourism got a boost from cycling, too. The TV ratings, however, were unimpressive.
NBC Sports Network’s live coverage of the first 4 days of the USA Pro Cycling Challenge averaged 74,000 viewers (that’s up 19% from the equivalent coverage last year but miniscule compared to other sports coverage). Viewership for the key adult 18-49 demographic was up 48% from last year, but still minimal.
Given that cycling is an expensive sport for TV to cover (involving far-flung locales), and that the sport is dependent on advertising and, therefore, broadcasting, for its existence (there are no ticket sales, no season subscriptions), cycling fans would wish the TV ratings were better.


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