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ESPN Reports 10% TV Audience Growth in Fiscal 2026
ESPN’s annual audience figures and measurement caveat.
ESPN reported a 10% increase in television viewership across ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPN on ABC in fiscal 2026, extending its run of annual growth to six years.
The October 14 report covers September 28, 2025, through October 3, 2026. ESPN and its ABC coverage each posted an 11% increase, while ESPN2 grew 3%.
ESPN said its networks represented 31% of sports viewing among total viewers and adults ages 18–49. Female viewership rose 14% and accounted for 34% of viewing across its networks. The company also reported a 14% increase among children ages 2–17.
The television gains are separate from ESPN’s reported monthly cross-platform reach of 239.4 million users. That measure combines television, digital and social reach rather than describing an average television audience.
The year-over-year comparison spans a measurement change. ESPN said its fiscal 2026 Nielsen figures use Big Data + Panel, while fiscal 2025 combines that method with Panel Only data. The reported growth therefore compares years measured with different mixes of Nielsen methodology.
