Monumental Sports Network announced Thursday several viewership records set by the Washington Mystics during the recently completed WNBA season.
In-game viewership for live Mystics games on the network was up 139% compared to last season within the D.C. market, according to statistics. Similarly, the demand for Mystics pre- and postgame programming skyrocketed, up 235% and 122% respectively, statistics show.
In 2023, the Mystics became the first WNBA team to feature a dedicated pre- and postgame show for every regional game broadcast, and “Mystics Pregame Live” took home a Capital Emmy Award in June.
On the digital side, there was also a major spike in streaming viewership for Mystics games, as the number of unique streaming viewers increased 90% in 2024 compared to last season, according to ViewLift streaming data.
“Thank you to Mystics fans for tuning in and supporting the team throughout the 2024 season – your enthusiasm is what drives us to continue elevating our programming and create a best-in-class viewing experience for everyone,” said Zach Leonsis, president of Media & New Enterprises at Monumental Sports & Entertainment. “Our growth in Mystics viewership reflects the incredible dedication of our fans and the rapidly growing excitement around women’s basketball. We can’t wait to see what next season brings.”
Mystics viewership on the network ended on a particularly high note during the team’s final game of the 2024 season. For the Sept. 19 game vs. Indiana, Monumental Sports Network recorded its most-watched WNBA regular season broadcast since at least 2017 and outperformed ESPN by 78% and Fox by 40% in the D.C. market during the game (P2+).
The Sept. 19 game also set a new milestone as the largest-attended game in WNBA history with 20,711 fans in attendance. The game easily bested the 2023 high viewership mark for the Mystics, outperforming 2023’s most-viewed game (P2+) by 157% (8/31/23 vs. Las Vegas).
During the 2024 season, Monumental Sports Network aired 33 of the Mystics’ 40 regular season games on the independent media platform. In addition to the live game broadcasts, the network produced “Mystics Courtside,” a monthly magazine show that featured the best behind-the-scenes moments and off-court stories with Mystics players, staff and fans.
In addition to holding the local TV rights for the Mystics, Monumental Sports Network is the exclusive local media rights holder for the NBA’s Washington Wizards, NHL’s Washington Capitals, and the NBA G League’s Capital City Go-Go. It also boasts a comprehensive schedule of original programming and live men’s and women’s college basketball, college football, college volleyball, high school basketball, and esports, as well as Washington Spirit (NWSL), Old Glory DC (Major League Rugby), Washington Freedom (Major League Cricket), Hershey Bears (AHL), and Annapolis Blues (NPSL) games.