What's Happening?
Fox Sports 1's morning show, 'Wake Up Barstool,' has been experiencing low television ratings, averaging only 19,000 viewers in June. This is despite the network achieving its most-watched week in history, with an average of 885,000 viewers during the week of June 15.
The show, which features Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy and other personalities, has not seen a significant increase in viewership, even with the ongoing 2026 World Cup. In contrast, ESPN's 'Get Up!' which airs at the same time, has an audience approximately 2,000 times larger.
Why It's Important?
The low ratings of 'Wake Up Barstool' highlight the challenges faced by niche sports programming in attracting a broad television audience, even when associated with major events like the World Cup. This situation underscores the competitive nature of sports broadcasting, where established shows like ESPN's 'Get Up!' dominate viewership. The disparity in ratings could impact advertising revenue and the show's future viability on Fox Sports 1. It also reflects the broader trend of sports media companies needing to adapt to changing viewer habits, where digital and social media platforms often outperform traditional TV in engagement.
What's Next?
As the 2026 college football season approaches, there may be opportunities for 'Wake Up Barstool' to increase its viewership, given Barstool Sports' strong following in college sports. The show's producers might consider strategic changes to content or format to better capture the audience's interest. Additionally, the network may explore cross-promotional opportunities with other popular sports events to boost ratings. The response from advertisers and network executives will likely influence the show's direction and longevity.
