The Women’s Super League will review its broadcast slots at the end of the season amid disappointment at some viewing figures during the first half of the campaign. An average audience of 59,000 watched live Sky Sports coverage of Arsenal’s 2-1 win over Liverpool last Saturday lunchtime, even fewer than the 71,000 who watched Arsenal v Chelsea in the same noon kick-off slot last month.
This has led to criticism from fans about the scheduling of flagship games. In both cases, the WSL was forced to schedule a Saturday fixture because Arsenal and Chelsea had Women’s Champions League ties the following Tuesday, requiring two clear days between matches.
Poor viewing figures for Saturday lunchtime games have reignited a debate over scheduling, which the WSL will review in detail at the end of the season in collaboration with its main rights holders, Sky and the BBC. The WSL adopted noon on Sundays for its flagship TV games for the start of a new four-year contract with Sky this season, but the jury remains out on whether this was shrewd. The decision to schedule up to four of six weekly rounds at the same time has proved unpopular and appears to have had a negative effect on viewing figures.
WSL sources said average viewing figures for the Saturday lunchtime game had risen by 11 per cent this season, although Sky broadcast only two games at that time last season, so a meaningful comparison is difficult.
