[devilincarnate]

ESPN has reported solid growth across its television, online and mobile platforms, despite seeing its allocation of Premier League games cut in half last season.

The ESPN channel, launched in 2009 to house the broadcaster's Premier League rights picked up after the collapse of Setanta Sports UK, has posted five consecutive year-on-year increases in its monthly ratings.

The broadcaster also achieved its best ever audience last month when a peak audience of 894,000 tuned in during coverage of Stoke City versus Manchester United on September 24.

In the current Premier League season to date, the average reach of ESPN's coverage is 1.2m, up 19.9% year-on-year, while its Scottish football coverage is up 9.4% to 245,000.

ESPN has also enjoyed its best summer in 2011 since launch, buoyed by key acquisitions such as Copa America, the Emirates Cup, pre-season friendlies, international football, and its first ever darts rights.

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/media/ne...ne-growth.html

So despite losing 23 games they look to have still a strong presence?