WAL Smashes Ratings Expectations, Gains Additional ESPN Dates

WAL Smashes Ratings Expectations, Gains Additional ESPN Dates

CHICAGO, Feb. 20, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Arm-wrestling's mainstream TV debut came roaring out of the gates on Feb. 13, as the World Armwrestling League premiered to an expectation-smashing audience.

Debuting to nearly 300,000 viewers, WAL set new viewership benchmarks for the sports network in its Friday night TV slot, besting averages by more than 30 percent in key adult and men's demos. The network also granted the league three additional air dates, including two on ESPN and one on ESPN 2.

The World Armwrestling League follows everyday men as they compete in high-level arm-wrestling tournaments for hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash.

With this week's announcement, the 2014 WAL Championships will now re-air on Saturday, March 21 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, March 28 at 10 p.m. on ESPN, and again on May 22 at 11 p.m. on ESPN2.

"This is an incredible start for the league and a strong indicator that people across the country can recognize the power, technique and dedication it takes to excel at this sport, and they want to see more," said WAL Commissioner Steve Kaplan. "And we haven't even scratched the surface. We have seven more televised events and hundreds of tournaments.

Kaplan was referring to WAL's expansive "100 Events in 100 Cities" qualifier series set to launch Feb. 28 and conclude when TV cameras return for three Regional and four Championship events that will make up the televised 2015 season. Those events will air on ESPN2 throughout the summer.

In all, the league will award more than $500,000 in prize money by July - an unprecedented amount for the sport.

The recent WAL Championship was held in New Orleans and featured the day-long battles that led to the crowning of eight weight class champions. The show, produced by IMG Productions, got a slightly delayed start Feb. 13 due to a live boxing coverage overrun.

But the delay did little to dim viewership, as audiences turned out to witness the debut of professional arm-wrestling on the world's leading network for sports.

"Fans just got a taste of what arm-wrestling is all about," said WAL heavyweight champion Devon Larratt. "It's totally grass-roots, and to see these everyday competitors rise to the top in front of so many people is something worth watching."

For a full list of WAL air dates, visit http://www.walunderground.com/tv-schedule.


Media contacts:


Ben Murray ben@walunderground.com

213-284-6312

www.walunderground.com


SOURCE World Armwrestling League

World Armwrestling League

Web Site: http://www.walunderground.com


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