Wisconsin vs. Nebraska Volleyball draws more viewers than Nebraska Football

Learn why the Wisconsin vs. Nebraska volleyball match is a game-changer, outpacing even football in viewership.

Oct 21, 2023; Lincoln, NE, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers outside hitter Merritt Beason (13) attacks against Wisconsin Badgers middle blocker Caroline Crawford (9) during the fifth set at the Bob Devaney Sports Center. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-USA TODAY Sports / © Dylan Widger-USA TODAY Sports

In a historic triumph for NCAA women's volleyball, the recent showdown between top-ranked Nebraska Cornhuskers and undefeated Wisconsin Badgers soared to new heights, cementing itself as the most-watched regular-season volleyball match ever. The two powerhouse teams, in an epic five-set battle, drew an astounding total-average viewership of 612,000 on Big Ten Network. A number, that was more than 100,000 viewers than the Cornhuskers football game, earlier in the day against the Northwestern Wildcats.

Wisconsin vs. Nebraska Volleyball Makes History

Exceeding the 600,000 viewer mark for the first time on Big Ten Network, this match transcended previous milestones. The vibrant energy in the Bob Devaney Center in Lincoln, filled to the brim with 9,198 ardent supporters, added a palpable layer of excitement for TV viewers. The electrifying competition between the No. 1 Badgers and the No. 2 Huskers proved to be irresistible, keeping viewers engaged throughout this memorable match.

Wisconsin Women's Volleyball: A Preview of Upcoming Games against Michigan State and Minnesota

The implications of this feat are manifold. Not only did it outshine football viewership on Big Ten Network, but it also underscores the escalating popularity of women's volleyball, even amidst the fierce competition of college football and Major League Baseball playoffs.

As Michael Calderon, Big Ten Network's senior vice president for programming and digital media, emphasized, this record-setting viewership serves as a foundation for what lies ahead in the season. He believes that first-time viewers, captivated by the intense showdown, will continue to follow Big Ten volleyball in the coming weeks, fostering further growth.

Oct 21, 2023; Lincoln, NE, USA; Wisconsin Badgers middle blocker Anna Smrek (14) attempts to block Nebraska Cornhuskers outside hitter Harper Murray (27) during the fourth set at the Bob Devaney Sports Center. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-USA TODAY Sports / © Dylan Widger-USA TODAY Sports

Women's Volleyball vs. Football: A Surprising Win

Moreover, this remarkable milestone defies conventional expectations. It's particularly noteworthy that women's volleyball outperformed college football and major-league baseball playoffs during a season when cord-cutters are increasingly abandoning traditional cable. It's a testament to the accelerating popularity of this dynamic sport.

The momentum continues to build as women's volleyball gears up for the NCAA title match on December 17, making a significant move from cable TV to an over-the-air platform, ABC. With this transition, the NCAA women's basketball championship game reached a record viewership of 9.9 million. As the sport continues to evolve and gain traction, there's no doubt that more TV viewership records will tumble.

On the horizon is another landmark occasion as the match between Big Ten and geographic rivals Minnesota and Wisconsin is scheduled for a Sunday afternoon telecast on over-the-air Fox. With a substantial audience spillover from football, this match holds the potential to cross the one million viewership threshold, and it may even challenge the previous record of 1.188 million viewers set in the 2021 NCAA title battle.

Sep 13, 2023; Milwaukee, WI, USA; A general view of volleyball match between the Wisconsin Badgers and the Marquette Golden Eagles on Wednesday, September 13, 2023 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wis. Official attendance was 17.037 making it the largest indoor regular-season crowd for a volleyball match in NCAA history and the largest crowd to see a women s sporting event in Wisconsin history. Mandatory Credit: Mark Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports / © Mark Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

Nebraska vs. Wisconsin Volleyball: A Tipping Point in Women's Sports Broadcasting

This newfound enthusiasm among casual fans is evident in the growing interest surrounding matchups like the Big 12 game between UCF and Baylor, which attracted over 202,000 viewers despite a modest live crowd. In another instance, the Pac-12 clash between Stanford and Oregon pulled in 103,000 viewers, reflecting the sport's expanding fan base.

As NCAA women's volleyball continues its meteoric rise, there's no limit to the heights it can achieve. With each thrilling match, this dynamic sport captures the hearts of viewers, setting the stage for a future filled with record-breaking accomplishments.

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