Cincinnati's not exactly an emerging soccer market anymore. By several metrics, the marketplace and home of Major League Soccer's FC Cincinnati has emerged as one of the strongest in North America.
Case in point: Cincinnati was one of the top-performing markets for TV viewership for the English Premier League on NBC and NBCSN throughout the now-concluded 2020-21 EPL season.
More:Allan Cruz, Ronald Matarrita called up to Costa Rica, will not miss time with FCC
NBC released on Tuesday its annual breakdown of market performances and other notable facts and accomplishments from its coverage of the Premier League this past season.
Among the top-15 markets with the highest average season-long ratings on Premier League telecasts on NBC and NBCSN, Cincinnati ranked No. 6. That placement had it ahead of New York (No. 7), Minneapolis (No. 9) and Chicago (No. 10).
Philadelphia topped the local market ratings for the full EPL season, followed by Washington, D.C., Seattle, Baltimore and San Diego.
More:FC Cincinnati doubled average MLS viewership for TQL Stadium opener. Here's what it means.
Top 15 Local Market Ratings, NBC/NBCSN
1. Philadelphia
2. Washington, D.C.
3. Seattle
4. Baltimore
5. San Diego
6. Cincinnati
7. New York
8. Norfolk
9. Minneapolis
10. Chicago
11. New Orleans
12. Las Vegas
13. Tampa
14. San Francisco
15. HartfordTop 15 Local Market Ratings, NBC only
1. New Orleans
2. Seattle
3. Las Vegas
4. Greenville
5. Cincinnati
6. Fort Myers
7. Washington, D.C.
8. San Diego
9. Norfolk
10. Baltimore
11. Philadelphia
12. Albuquerque
13. San Francisco
14. Houston
15. Chicago
Cincinnati even cracked the top-5 markets for matches broadcast only on NBC, taking the No. 5 spot.
The Premier League season ended Sunday. NBC marketed the occasion a 90-minute “Championship Sunday” post-match show, highlighted by champions Manchester City lifting the trophy.
More:FC Cincinnati: Geoff Cameron, Jaap Stam named to MLS Team of the Week
The 2021-22 Premier League season begins the weekend of August 14.
NBC's news release arrived about a week after viewership for FC Cincinnati's first-ever match at TQL Stadium against Inter Miami CF skyrocketed with about 720,000 TV viewers for the game.
The figure more than doubled the typical average viewership for Major League Soccer matches.
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