What's Happening?
Fox Sports 1's morning show, 'Wake Up Barstool,' has been experiencing low television ratings despite the network's overall success during the 2026 World Cup. The show, which features Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy and other personalities, averaged
only 19,000 viewers in June. This is in stark contrast to ESPN's 'Get Up!' which airs at the same time and averaged 426,000 viewers, a difference of over 2,000%. The lack of viewership is notable given FS1's record-breaking ratings during the World Cup, which typically boosts other programming. The show, which debuted last year, has not seen the expected increase in viewership, even with the ongoing football season, a traditionally strong period for Barstool.
Why It's Important?
The low ratings for 'Wake Up Barstool' highlight the challenges faced by niche sports programming in attracting a broad television audience. Despite Barstool Sports' strong social media presence and brand recognition, translating this into TV viewership has proven difficult. This situation underscores the competitive nature of sports broadcasting, where established shows like ESPN's 'Get Up!' dominate the morning slot. The disparity in viewership also reflects the broader trend of audiences gravitating towards digital platforms for sports content, posing a challenge for traditional TV networks to retain viewers.
What's Next?
As the football season progresses, there may be opportunities for 'Wake Up Barstool' to increase its viewership, particularly if it can leverage Barstool's strong online following. The show might consider strategic changes to its format or content to better engage TV audiences. Additionally, FS1 may explore cross-promotional opportunities with other successful programs to boost ratings. The network will likely continue to monitor the show's performance closely, especially as it competes with established sports programming.
