FoxSoccer.com on MSN and FOXSports.com on MSN Set Record Highs with World Cup Related Traffic; Unprecedented Soccer Interest Spurs More Original Content and Development for FoxSoccer.com on MSN
ComScore Media Metrix traffic data for June 2006 (encompassing 58 of the 64 World Cup matches) reports that FoxSoccer on MSN drew 4.9 million unique users and delivered 118 million page views, while ESPNSoccernet.com delivered 3.8 million unique users and 66 million page views. FoxSoccer.com's parent site, FOXSports.com on MSN, also topped its prior best month of traffic with 14.7 million unique users and 491 million page views in June. In fact, June 2006 was the second month in a row that both ComScore and NNR have ranked FOXSports.com on MSN second in unique users in the entire US Sports category.
On June 22, the day Ghana defeated the US Men's National squad, soccer sites experienced a peak day of traffic. ComScore data for that week shows FoxSoccer.com on MSN with 2.4 million unique users and 50 million page views and ESPNSoccernet.com with 1.3 million unique users and 23 million page views, while FOXSports.com on MSN overall thrived with 14 million unique users and 154 million page views.
"We've worked hard to make Fox Soccer Channel the point of reference for U.S. soccer fans in all media, and our online traffic during the World Cup bears that out," said David Sternberg, EVP and General Manager at Fox Soccer Channel. "FoxSoccer.com was the online news and feature destination of choice for millions of people across the nation. We will continue to work closely with Fox Interactive Media, FOXSports.com and MSN to build upon this record level of interest and generate even more awareness of the world's game here in the United States."
"The World Cup this year brought out more U.S. fans than ever before and the ability to experience the action on multiple platforms - from TV to the Internet - gave consumers something they clearly wanted," said Brian Grey, SVP and General Manager FOXSports.com. "In addition, the tremendous level of interest driven by the FoxSoccer.com site helped propel us to our largest audience to date on FOXSports.com."
To that end, FoxSoccer.com on MSN plans to incorporate several new online features it introduced specifically for the World Cup. These include some of the site's most popular features, including live scoreboards with full statistical data; real-time match trackers; free video feeds of Fox Soccer Channel programs; live at-match blogs from Fox Soccer Channel commentators and columnists; and extensive photo galleries. Still other enhancements to the site will be announced soon.
About Fox Soccer Channel
Fox Soccer Channel offers the most comprehensive coverage of world-class soccer available in the United States, including the Barclays English Premier League, German Bundesliga, Argentine First Division and Italian Serie A; as well as global tournaments such as the UEFA Cup, UEFA Women's Championship, English FA Cup, FIFA Club World Cup, CONCACAF Champions' Cup, and FA Community Shield. The Official Broadcast Partner of US Youth Soccer, Fox Soccer Channel also televises United Soccer League and Division I college soccer matches. The channel reaches more than 25 million cable and satellite households in the U.S. and Caribbean.
Fox Soccer Channel is affiliated with Fox Sports International, an international sports programming and production entity housed within Fox Networks Group. Fox Networks Group, an operating unit of News Corporation, consists of the FOX Broadcasting Company, Fox Cable Networks, FOX Sports and Fox Networks Engineering & Operations (FNE&O). For more information, visit America's most visited online soccer destination at http://www.foxsoccer.com.
About FOXSports.com
A leader in online sports, FOXSports.com on MSN offers comprehensive resource of sports news, statistics, interactive games and special features from the world of sports. FOXSports.com also manages digital initiatives for FOX Sports and FSN that span wireless, interactive television and broadband. Additional leading sports properties include http://www.scout.com, http://www.msn.foxsoccer.com and http://www.whatifsports.com.
About MSN and Windows Live
MSN attracts more than 465 million unique users worldwide per month. With localized versions available globally in 42 markets and 21 languages, MSN is a world leader in delivering compelling programmed content experiences to consumers and online advertising opportunities to businesses worldwide. Windows Live, a new set of personal Internet services and software, is designed to bring together in one place all the relationships, information and interests people care about most, with enhanced safety and security features across their PC, devices and the Web. MSN and Windows Live will be offered alongside each other as complementary services. Some Windows Live services entered an early beta phase on Nov. 1, 2005; these and future beta updates can be found at http://ideas.live.com. Windows Live is available at http://www.live.com. MSN is located on the Web at http://www.msn.com. MSN worldwide sites are located at http://www.msn.com/worldwide.ashx.
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