Early U.S. ratings for FIFA World Cup coverage are trending strongly, especially for U.S. matches. In entertainment and sports media, SportsNet Pittsburgh let go of Penguins sideline reporter Hailey Hunter, while other TV developments continue across streaming
The World Cup landed in living rooms and, for now, it’s turning into must-watch TV. Early ratings for FIFA World Cup games broadcast on Fox, Fox One and Tubi are strong, a lift tied to the tournament being staged in America.
Matches featuring the American team are leading the pack. On June 12, the U.S. vs. Paraguay match averaged 15.9 million viewers, reaching a peak of 18.8 million viewers between 10:45 and 11 p.m. That viewership was up 106 percent compared to America’s first match against Wales in 2022. and Fox Sports says it was the most-watched U.S. Men’s National Team FIFA World Cup English-language telecast in U.S. history.
The momentum has carried over from the opener. On June 11, the Mexico vs. South Africa match drew 7.1 million viewers. making it the most-watched FIFA Men’s World Cup opening match in English-language U.S. history. Ratings for that opening match were up 150 percent compared to Qatar vs. Ecuador on FS1 in November 2022, which drew 2.8 million viewers.
On the weekly sports leaderboard, the tournament is dominating. For the week of June 8–14, Nielsen data shows 19 of the Top 25 live televised sporting events were World Cup matches. The Top 3 spots on the sports ratings chart were NBA finals games. but the rest was World Cup-heavy. with USA vs. Paraguay sitting at No. 4. Beyond World Cup coverage. the only other non-World Cup events in the Top 25 were hockey’s Stanley Cup games at No. 12, 14 and 17.
The reach is showing up across viewing platforms too. Among all broadcast, cable and live streaming programs, FIFA World Cup game coverage took nine of the Top 25 slots.
Those numbers hold up locally as well. More than three times as many viewers watched the June 12 American match locally (109,305 local viewers) compared to the June 11 Mexico vs. South Africa game (31,705 local viewers).
The business side of this week’s TV slate isn’t limited to sports, though. CNN announced the debut of “flashdoc” “Chasing Soccer Glory: America’s Long Game. ” an exploration of the United States’ decades-long pursuit of international success. The program. which is already streaming at CNN.com/Watch and on the CNN app for streaming subscribers. will air on linear CNN at 8 p.m. on June 21.
Sports media is also seeing change. SportsNet Pittsburgh let go of Penguins sideline reporter Hailey Hunter after three seasons. A statement provided by SportsNet Pittsburgh said: “We are grateful for all of Hailey’s contributions during her time at SportsNet Pittsburgh. We wish her the very best in her future endeavors.” The statement added. “We will soon begin a nationwide search for a rinkside reporter for our Penguins coverage.”.
Hunter said she wasn’t given a concrete reason for the change. In a written response to a request for comment. she wrote: “Unfortunately. I was told the Penguins have decided that they simply wanted to move in a different direction with the role.” She added. “I really wasn’t given any details. but I understand that’s the business we are in.”.
She also described how the change landed personally. “I absolutely loved my time with SportsNet Pittsburgh. The network truly felt like family and everyone there will always be great friends of mine,” Hunter wrote. “I’ll be having a get-together with many of the people I worked with next week. from cameramen to producers to executives from our network. the Penguins org. and the Pirates org. Sounds like about 60 people are coming. which is so kind. but also speaks to how close friends I became with everyone. We are all pretty shocked, but everyone’s kindness and support has truly meant the world to me.”.
Hunter joined SNP as rinkside reporter for the Penguins’ 2023–24 season. Before that. she covered golf for Golf Channel and PGA Tour Entertainment. and worked as a team reporter and host for the New York Islanders during the 2021–22 season. She grew up in Muskegon, Mich., and her father, Tim Hrynewich, played 55 games for the Penguins between 1982 and 1984.
Elsewhere in entertainment, Point Breeze resident Victoria Groce returns to ABC’s “Jeopardy!. Masters” for its fourth edition, premiering at 8 p.m. on Aug. 25. She won “Jeopardy Masters!” 2024. Groce will compete for the $500,000 grand prize against reigning “Jeopardy!. Masters” champion Yogesh Raut and returning finalist Juveria Zaheer. as well as 2026 “Jeopardy!” Tournament of Champions winner Paolo Pasco. 2026 “Jeopardy!” Invitational Tournament winner Andrew He. and runner-up Long Nguyen.
After “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” ended, ratings appeared to shift. “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” is benefitting most in the ratings following the end of “The Late Show,” per Puck.news, with a notation that NBA playoff lead-ins also helped.
That leads into a dispute over music rights involving “The Late Show.” Colbert tried to stick CBS with a big bill by playing Vince Guaraldi’s “Linus and Lucy” theme without prior permission. Tuesday Lee Mendelson Film Productions. owner and steward of Guaraldi’s television and film song catalog. announced a licensing agreement with CBS for that prior use. The proceeds from the CBS agreement—an amount not disclosed—will be donated to World Central Kitchen. a not-for-profit organization that provides meals during crises. “The Late Show” donated $2.5 million to WCK on its penultimate episode.
On streaming schedules, Disney+ will debut the fourth and final season of “The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder” on July 29, followed later this year by a stop-motion holiday special, “A Proud Family Wizmas.” Netflix canceled “The Boroughs” after a single season.
And for viewers keeping track of what’s coming next, “The Pitt” returns for its third season in January. Student doc Victoria Javadi (Shabana Azeez) will no longer work in the ER and will instead appear in the emergency department as part of her psychiatry rotation.
Last week. Disney+ and Hulu began streaming 10 new episodes of “Celebrity Wheel of Fortune. ” including an episode featuring Steelers defensive tackle Cam Heyward alongside actor Brian Austin Green and actress Andrea Savage. Another episode features Swissvale native Billy Gardell competing against actors Mary Elizabeth Ellis and Kelly McCreary.
Fox Corp. will buy Roku in a $22 billion deal. “Heartstopper Forever,” the concluding film to Netflix’s “Heartstopper” series, will stream July 17 on Netflix.
Late awards news also landed this week. Last week, the Television Critics Association announced its 2026 nominees for the annual TCA Awards. “Heated Rivalry,” “Industry” and “Widow’s Bay” each received five nominations. “Hacks,” “The Pitt” and “Pluribus” received four nominations each. For the full list of nominees, the note says to visit.
FIFA World Cup ratings Fox Fox One Tubi U.S. vs Paraguay Hailey Hunter SportsNet Pittsburgh Penguins sideline reporter Jeopardy Masters Groce Kimmel Colbert Linus and Lucy licensing agreement World Central Kitchen The Proud Family Louder and Prouder The Boroughs Heartstopper Forever Roku Fox Corp