The TV ratings are in for Week 8 of the USFL 2023 Regular season. A week ago, the USFL scored its lowest viewership average of the season, averaging 347,000 viewers across a cable-heavy slate. However, in week 8, the USFL saw an expected rise in the ratings after airing three weekly games on over-the-air network television.
USFL Week 8 TV Ratings On FOX, NBC, And The USA Network
Saturday afternoon’s 12 pm ET USFL telecast on the USA Network featuring the Pittsburgh Maulers and Houston Gamblers averaged 228,000 viewers. The game was rated 38th out of the top 150 cable tv shows in the 18-49 demographic.
The second game of the weekend, Saturday at 3 PM ET on NBC, saw the Philadelphia Stars and Birmingham Stallions average 747,000 viewers.
On Sunday, the USFL aired an afternoon doubleheader on FOX.
The first game between the New Jersey Generals and Memphis Showboats at 1 pm ET averaged 720,000 viewers.
The second half of the doubleheader featuring the Michigan Panthers and New Orleans Breakers averaged 774,000 viewers.
Quick Analysis
Overall, Week 8’s USFL games averaged 617,250 viewers. An expected boost from last week’s numbers (347k) due to the increase of over-the-air network games. (three versus only one a week ago).
Of the USFL’s 20 over-the-air network games on NBC/FOX this season. Only one game has averaged over a million viewers in viewership. Perhaps that will change in the league’s playoff stretch.
Approaching Week 9, four of the USFL’s games, which all have playoff ramifications, will air on network television, with two telecasts apiece airing on FOX and NBC. The league will close out Week 9 with a Sunday Night Football game on FOX.
The TV ratings for the USFL this season has produced mixed results to this point. But the league, because of its network exposure down the stretch and favorable, has a chance to finish on a high note.
Week 9 TV Schedule
Saturday, June 10 Michigan Panthers at Pittsburgh Maulers (Canton), noon (FOX) New Orleans Breakers at Memphis Showboats (Memphis), 3 p.m. (NBC) Sunday, June 11 Birmingham Stallions at Houston Gamblers (Memphis), 2 p.m. (NBC) Philadelphia Stars at New Jersey Generals (Canton), 7 p.m. (FOX)
USFL 2023 TV Ratings By Week (Average Viewership)
Week One
FOX: Philadelphia Stars-Memphis Showboats: 837,000
FOX: Birmingham Stallions-New Jersey Generals: 864,000
NBC: Michigan Panthers-Houston Gamblers: 974,000
FS1: New Orleans Breakers-Pittsburgh Maulers: 483,000
Week Two
USA: New Orleans Breakers-Houston Gamblers: 133,000
I remember the USFL from the 80s, it was exciting to watch. Like to see more teams on region where they don’t have NFL team. I think the problem is Americans have been conditioned that Fall is football Spring/Summer is for baseball. I think more advertising on all stations would get people more interested in it.
Jerry Humphrey
June 8, 2023 at 9:41 pm
I remember the USFL from the 80s, it was exciting to watch. Like to see more teams on region where they don’t have NFL team. I think the problem is Americans have been conditioned that Fall is football Spring/Summer is for baseball. I think more advertising on all stations would get people more interested in it.
Sandra Lee
June 9, 2023 at 12:36 pm
Unable to watch cable network games. All local tv stations games were watched and enjoyed by family and friends.