American broadcaster CBS is poised to set a new U.S. viewership record for a Serie A fixture when Parma takes on AC Milan on August 24. This marks the first time that a Serie A match will be broadcasted on television by CBS, following their recent extension of their TV rights deal with the competition.
The decision to broadcast over-the-air (OTA) is expected to draw in more viewers. The inclusion of USMNT players Christian Pulisic and Yunus Musah in the Milan lineup further enhances the appeal of this fixture. Additionally, both teams have ties to American ownership groups; Krause Group acquired Parma in 2020, while RedBird Capital Partners took over Milan in 2022.
According to reports, the current U.S. viewership record for a Serie A match stands at 225,000 during an April 2021 contest between Fiorentina and Atalanta aired by ABC. This highlighted the potential reach of fixtures broadcasted on network television.
Revamped coverage by CBS
CBS's decision to air the game of Parma vs Milan on OTA TV reflects its revamped coverage strategy aimed at making games more accessible for American calcio fans. The anticipation surrounding this event is likely to escalate if it manages to attract a record-breaking U.S audience.
Following their initial agreement signed in 2021, CBS renewed their deal with Serie A this summer securing two more seasons of top-flight Italian football coverage in America - marking it as one of the most extensive distributions ever seen stateside.
The broadcaster plans include streaming live over 400 club matches via Paramount+, along with select matches being aired across various platforms such as CBS Television Network, CBS Sports Network and CBS Sports Golazo Network.
Preview of Parma-Milan fixture
The upcoming match will see new manager Paulo Fonseca at the helm following Stefano Pioli’s departure in May. Despite leading Milan to their first scudetto in 11 years during the 2021/2022 season, Pioli struggled to keep pace with Simone Inzaghi’s Inter in subsequent campaigns.
Fonseca has expressed satisfaction with his team's pre-season performance but believes there is still room for improvement as the season commences. He also anticipates winger Rafael Leao to consistently showcase his star potential.
This historic broadcast by CBS promises an exciting time for American sports fans and sports betting enthusiasts alike, offering them a chance to witness top-tier Italian football like never before.
