Sunday’s Germany vs. Argentina FIFA World Cup Final on ABC – a 1-0 Germany victory in extra time to secure the nation’s fourth World Cup title and first since 1990 – averaged a 9.7 overnight rating, the third-highest metered market rating for any World Cup match on the ESPN networks and ABC on record, according to Nielsen. ESPN’s coverage peaked between 5:15-5:30 p.m. ET at a 14.2 rating.

The only two matches to earn a higher overnight than yesterday’s final were from World Cup 1994 in the United States – Final: Brazil vs. Italy (12.8) and Round of 16: USA vs. Brazil (10.4).

Germany-Argentina, which posted a 13 percent increase over the 2010 Final in South Africa (8.6, Netherlands vs. Spain), ranks as the second-highest metered market rating for any World Cup Final on ESPN/ABC, and the second-highest non-USA World Cup match ever for the ESPN networks.

Top 10 markets for Germany-Argentina: Washington, D.C. (15.4), San Diego (13.4), Los Angeles (13.0), San Francisco (13.0), Orlando (12.6), New York (12.5), Sacramento (12.0), Miami-Ft. Lauderdale (11.5), West Palm Beach (10.8) and Las Vegas (10.7). In addition, 12 markets recorded their highest-rated men’s World Cup match ever on ESPN/ESPN2/ABC: Albuquerque (9.0), Buffalo (8.6), Denver (10.3), Houston (9.5), Indianapolis (9.5), Los Angeles (13.0), Nashville (9.1), Orlando (12.6), Philadelphia (10.5), Sacramento (12.0), San Antonio (10.6) and Washington, D.C. (15.4).

Through all 64 matches, ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC averaged a 3.1 metered market rating, an increase of 29 percent compared to the 64 matches in 2010 (2.4). The highest-rated markets on the ESPN Networks for the FIFA World Cup are: Washington, D.C. (4.9), New York (4.6), San Francisco (4.4), Los Angeles (4.0) and San Diego (4.0).

Fast national ratings and viewership numbers are expected to be available this afternoon.

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