Sports Media Report
So much is still being made about ratings in the traditional sense. mostly because sports remains the only appointment viewing out there for networks. But we see measurement being adapted closer to things like engagement and excitement, all tied to analytics and the experience of the fan. Case in point.
Thuuz Sports, the Palo Alto based tech company that has pioneered the idea of automated highlights, came out with their analytically driven list of the ten most exciting moments of the decade, not by how many people watched, but by how their level of excitement and engagement went up and down as the unexpected and amazing happened on whatever device they were watching on. The results, from cricket tests to a legendary Australian Open final may surprise some, but the numbers as they say, dont lie.
“We all have our memorable moments, but what we have been able to do, and do every day, is measure the overall excitement in a wide range of sports events to produce this very special list,” said Warren Packard, Thuuz CEO in a release Tuesday. “This amazing cross section from around the world shows the global nature of sports fandom and provides us with a unique snapshot on what really made hearts pound the last ten years.”
The game excitement ratings are measured on a 0 to 100 scale and take into consideration game pace, team parity, play novelty, momentum shifts, social buzz, and historical context. The algorithms behind the excitement ratings are statistically calibrated to insure the appropriate distribution of ratings across the duration of a season or course of a tournament.
From top down the list included:
- New England Patriots 34, Atlanta Falcons 28 (NFL): 2/5/2017. The Patriots rally to claim their Super Bowl title in one of the greatest comebacks in NFL history.
- Clemson 35, Alabama 31 (NCAAF): 1/9/2017. Dabo Sweeny’s Tigers win the National Championship with one second remaining.
- St. Louis Cardinals 10 Texas Rangers 9 (MLB): 10/27/2011 David Freese late game heroics created an instant heart stopping classic and helped lead the Cardinals to the World Series title.
- FC Barcelona 6 PSG 1 (UCL): 3/8/2017 Barca was down 4-0 after 1st leg and had to rally with a massive comeback, the greatest comeback in Champions League 2 leg history.
- Chicago Cubs 8, Cleveland Indians 7 (MLB): 11/2/2016: The “Curse of the Billygoat” finally ends in Wrigleyville.
- Novak Djokovic vs Rafael Nadal 5-7, 6-4, 6-2, 6-7 (5), 7-5 (ATP): 1/29/2012: Probably the greatest tennis match ever in 5+ hour epic took place Down Under in the Australian Open final Aussie Open Final.
- Miami Heat 103 San Antonio Spurs 100 (NBA): 6/17/2013: Ray Allen’s game winner is one for the history books.
- New Zealand 241/8 & 15/1, England 241 & 15/0 (Cricket): 7/14/2019: A Super Over ends an epic series.
- Los Angeles Kings 5, Chicago Blackhawks 4 (NHL): 6/1/2014 A Game 7 OT in what was the best hockey series of the decade.
- Villanova Wildcats 77, North Carolina Tar Heels 74 (NCAAMB): 4/4/2016: Villanova goes end to end with Kris Jenkins buzzer beater giving the Wildcats the national title.
Now are their events that an individual will pull out that are not on the list? of course. However measurement is about the collective, and isn’t tied just to a settop box any more. Excitement ratings show why we love big events and big moments, and that’s what brands want to capture.
Thuuz gave us a good list to start with.
