CFL grabs eyeballs, but so do horses, bulls and calves

Now that we're officially into the summer television doldrums, what with the marquee special events off the calendar, the Canadian Football League has assumed its rightful spot at the top of the sports ratings.

That's not a surprise, but what is surprising is the company the CFL is keeping. While football games took the top two spots on the weekend, third place was held by something other than the usual suspect: rodeo.

Yes, the Calgary Stampede drew an average of 690,000 viewers to CBC on Sunday evening. That's more than baseball, the Toronto Indy and even the British Open. Even if you love the sight of calves being roped, you'd have to admit rodeo outdrawing the British Open isn't exactly everyday business. Pretty impressive numbers, that's for sure.

Also impressive were the Toronto Blue Jays, who despite falling out of the pennant race still managed to attract more than 500,000 viewers on Sunday -- against Baltimore, of all teams. Maybe baseball fans have a sadistic streak in them.

That might apply to rodeo, too, since there no doubt are those who tune in to watch the crashes.

Speaking of crashes, the Toronto Indy drew 186,000 to TSN2. In itself, that's not very good, but since the race was also on ABC, it would be safe to assume that at least an equal amount watched it on the more accessible American channel.

The same cannot be said for Toronto FC, which continues to draw flies despite a successful season. Saturday's game in Philadelphia managed only 132,000 on CBC.

Here are the top weekend sports ratings, according to BBM Canada overnight calculations:

1. CFL, Eskimos at Roughriders, Saturday, TSN: 992,000

2. CFL, Alouettes at Lions, Friday, TSN: 731,000

3. Rodeo, Calgary Stampede, Sunday evening, CBC: 690,000

4. CFL, Blue Bombers at Tiger-Cats, Friday, TSN: 612,000

5. MLB, Blue Jays at Orioles, Saturday, Sportsnet: 561,000

6. Golf, British Open third round, Saturday, TSN: 535,000

7. Golf, British Open final round, Sunday, TSN: 509,000

8. MLB, Blue Jays at Orioles, Sunday, Sportsnet: 436,000

9. Golf, British Open second round, Friday, TSN: 284,000

10. Rodeo, Calgary Stampede, Sunday afternoon, CBC: 304,000

11. MLB, Blue Jays at Orioles, Friday, Sportsnet: 284,000*

12. MLB, Mets at Giants, Sunday, Sportsnet: 220,000

13. Auto racing, Toronto Indy, Sunday, TSN2: 186,000**

14. Auto racing, NASCAR Nationwide, Saturday, TSN: 149,000

15. Soccer, Toronto FC at Philadelphia, Saturday, CBC: 132,000

* Three channels only

** Viewers on ABC not calculated

Comments

[Ted]

This Blog is about TV ratings for sporting events. I guess some people in Torono just can't handle the FACT that the CFL and the Argos are the second highest rating sport team in the city of Toronto. CFL footbaLL is the second highest rated sporting event in this country. The GTA numbers for the Argos alone is near 380.000, that beats the NBA and the Jays for teir numbers accross the whole country. I won't comment on TFC numbers since there so bad

[Studmuffin69]

by: Joel YOUR LARGEST CITY IN CANADA CAN'T SELL OUT THEIR HOME OPENER.
how many toronto teams could fill the sky dome for the home opener. the jays maybe, raptors can't see it,toronto soccer club they can fill the soccer stadium because it is so small i dont think they could fill the sky dome.not to metion thet were expected to be a terrible team this year. i dont think anyone would say a wednesday was the best day to have a game let alone a home opener.

[Mike]

"Watch on Monday when the Jays draw their usual 8,000 again"
The team has never drawn that low so how is that usual?
"But I don't know why you wish ill will on the ARgos? And what it proves?"
says the guy who constantly attacks the Blue Jays, Raptors and all other "American" teams.
"The GTA numbers for the Argos alone is near 380.000, "
Where did you see that number Ted?

[CanadianSportsFan]

Rick, Saskatoon would fail miserably if they got a CFL team. Everybody in Saskatchewan loves the Roughriders and there is no way that any new team would be supported. The fans would only show up when the Riders come to town. There are nowhere near enough football fans in Saskatchewan to support two teams. Once again you show your lack of knowledge when it comes to CFL expansion.

[Jimmy D]

Hey guys, at least some Canadians are playing for the Argos and TFC, unlike the Jays and Raptors.
You know, the anti soccer guys here are a bit annoying, just a bit, but what really bugs me, is the guys from the UK and Europe who will not support the growth of the game here because they consider Canadians inferior at soccer to the rest of the world. I had seasons tickets for years with Glasgow Celtic, and trust me TFC games are entertaining, and a lot of fun.
The Canadians who dont understand the game, at least they have an excuse, but the so called soccer lovers, well, they have no excuse. I guess it is like you CFL guys getting put down by NFL fans. I feel your pain and indignation, guys.

[Ferd Buckles]

Last season this "Weekend" sports ratings blog became the "Weekly" sports ratings blog as soon as the NFL started up in September, allowing the Star to include the Thursday and Monday night NFL games in this listing...but the CFL Wednesday, Thursday night and Monday games were ignored.