ESPN presentation of the UEFA EURO 2012 semifinal matches on Wednesday and Thursday was seen by an average of 1.907 million viewers, an increase of 46 percent compared to the two semifinals watched by 1.307 million viewers in 2008. The weekday afternoon telecasts delivered an average of 1.457 million television households, up 46 percent versus 995,000 households in 2008.

Wednesday’s semifinal match between Spain and Portugal, a 0-0 tie won by Spain 4-2 in a penalty shootout, delivered ESPN’s largest audience ever in the semifinals of the European Football Championship – 1.475 million households and 1.952 million viewers, based on a 0.7 US rating.

Audiences for UEFA EURO 2012 and 2008 semifinals:

Through 30 matches (group stage, quarterfinals and semifinals) of the UEFA EURO 2012, ESPN’s live English-language presentation is averaging 932,000 households and 1,202,000 viewers — up 60 percent and 61 percent, respectively, versus the same 30 matches in 2008 (582,000 households and 745,000 viewers).

The top 10 metered markets through the group stage include: New York (2.0), Miami-Ft. Lauderdale (1.9), Providence (1.6), Los Angeles (1.4), Washington, DC (1.4), San Francisco (1.3), Las Vegas (1.3), Richmond, Va. (1.2), Atlanta (1.2), and Austin, Texas (1.2)