The Battlehawks were a force last Sunday. They rolled up numbers unlike any they have compiled in four years.
But unfortunately for them, the lofty production was in terms of television ratings and not their on-field performance.
Viewership-measuring company Nielsen says that 6.8% of the St. Louis market watched the local spring pro football team’s first playoff appearance on KTVI (Channel 2), which aired Fox’s national telecast. That’s the best rating the Battlehawks have drawn since their inaugural season, when they had three games that had a higher number — topped by an 8.1 figure.
Battlehawks fans Tammy and John Grant cannot believe their eyes while watching the San Antonio Brahmas convert a first down in the XFL Conference championship game, a UFL semifinal contest, on Sunday, June 9, 2024, in the Dome at America’s Center.
But the team sputtered badly and lost 25-15 to San Antonio despite being at home in a United Football League semifinal contest, thus ending its season and sending the Brahmas to the championship game — also in St. Louis, at 4 p.m. Sunday.
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Of note is that of the five best-rated Battlehawks games since their debut in 2020, Sunday’s playoff contest is the only one on the list that was played outside of February — when the weather usually is conducive to people staying indoors and watching television. That’s when the XFL began its season. The UFL, which the B-hawks entered this year after the merger of the XFL and United States Football League, kicked off its season on March 30.
Fox returns to St. Louis this weekend to show the UFL championship tussle, leading KTVI general manager Kurt Krueger to wonder “what if†had the Battlehawks made it there.
“Double, at least,†he said of the expected ratings jump over last weekend.
Instead, it’s San Antonio against Birmingham, and a rating around 1 to 1.5 now seems more realistic. Maybe it will be higher.
“Hey, it’s still live sports,†Krueger said. “News and sports drives broadcast TV.â€
Battlehawks TV ratings in St. Louis
Top-rated Battlehawks telecasts in St. Louis over the years, per Nielsen, with the rating representing the percentage of the market watching:
| DATE | OPPONENT | CHANNEL | RATING |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feb, 29, 2020 | Seattle | KTVI (2) | 8.1 |
| Feb. 23, 2020 | New York | ESPN | 8.0 |
| Feb. 9, 2020 | at Dallas | ESPN | 7.4 |
| June 9, 2024 | San Antonio (playoff) | KTVI (2) | 6.8 |
| Feb. 19, 2023 | at San Antonio | KDNL (30) | 5.6 |
Photos: Battlehawks lose XFL conference championship to Brahmas 25-15
St. Louis Battlehawks wide receiver Hakeem Butler holds back linebacker Travis Feeney as running back Wayne Gallman II holds back a taunting San Antonio Brahmas cornerback Teez Tabor following a Battlehawks 25-15 loss of the XFL conference championship at the Dome at America’s Center on Sunday, June 9, 2024.
Battlehawks quarterback A.J. McCarron leaves the field following his team’s 25-15 loss to San Antonio in a UFL semifinal playoff on Sunday, June 9, 2024, in the Dome at America’s Center.
St. Louis Battlehawks head coach Anthony Becht embraces linebacker Travis Feeney outside the locker room following a 25-15 loss to the San Antonio Brahmas during the XFL conference championship at the Dome at America’s Center on Sunday, June 9, 2024.
San Antonio’s Justin Smith breaks free on a 63-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter, a key play in the Brahmas’ victory over the Battlehawks in the XFL Conference title game on Sunday, June 9, 2024, in the Dome at America’s Center.
Battlehawks fans Tammy and John Grant cannot believe their eyes while watching the San Antonio Brahmas convert a first down in the XFL Conference championship game, a UFL semifinal contest, on Sunday, June 9, 2024, in the Dome at America’s Center.
Battlehawks receiver Hakeem Butler bobbles the ball before securing it, stepping out of bounds before he could score a touchdown in the first half of his team's loss to San Antonio in the XFL Conference championship game on Sunday, June 9, 2024, in the Dome at America’s Center.
Brahmas wide receiver Marquez Stevenson catches a pass, eluding the grasp of Battlehawks defender Mike Hampton, in the second quarter of the XFL Conference championship game on Sunday, June 9, 2024, in the Dome at America’s Center.
St. Louis Battlehawks wide receiver Hakeem Butler catches a first half pass against cornerback Bryce Thompson during the XFL conference championship at the Dome at America’s Center on Sunday, June 9, 2024.
Battlehawks quarterback A.J. McCarron passes against San Antonio in the first quarter of the XFL Conference championship game on Sunday, June 9, 2024, in the Dome at America’s Center
UFL co-owner Dany Garcia greets fans before the St. Louis Battlehawks play the San Antonio Brahmas at the XFL conference championship at the Dome at America’s Center on Sunday, June 9, 2024.
Battlehawks head coach Anthony Becht waits in the tunnel before leading his team to the field to play the San Antonio Brahmas at the XFL conference championship at The Dome at America’s Center on Sunday, June 9, 2024.
Nathan Barnes, 13, and his father Ryan Barnes came dressed for the occasion with other Junior Indians football players from Wentzville as they await team introductions before the St. Louis Battlehawks play the San Antonio Brahmas in the XFL conference championship at the Dome at America’s Center on Sunday, June 9, 2024.
Former St. Louis Rams wide receiver Torry Holt greets Battlehawks wide receiver Hakeem Butler and Mikala McGhee, the 2024 Mrs. Missouri, after delivering the game ball before the Battlehawks played San Antonio in the United Football League's XFL Conference championship on Sunday, June 9, 2024, in the Dome at America’s Center.
Former St. Louis Rams great wide receiver Torry Holt bows to cheering St. Louis Battlehawks fans after delivering the game ball before the Battlehawks play the San Antonio Brahmas at the XFL conference championship at the Dome at America’s Center on Sunday, June 9, 2024.
Members of the Madison County (Ill.) Sheriff’s Office Honor Guard await taking the field to present the colors before the St. Louis Battlehawks play the San Antonio Brahmas at the XFL conference championship at the Dome at America’s Center on Sunday, June 9, 2024.
San Antonio Brahmas running back John Lovett heads for a long third quarter gain against the St. Louis Battlehawks during a 25-15 loss at the XFL conference championship at the Dome at America’s Center on Sunday, June 9, 2024.
Battlehawks quarterback A.J. McCarron is helped up by tackle Jaryd Jones-Smith in the fourth quarter of their club's 25-15 loss to San Antonio in a UFL semifinal playoff game on Sunday, June 9, 2024, in the Dome at America’s Center.
St. Louis Battlehawks defensive tackle Tautala Pesefea Jr. (93) and safety Dravon Askew-Henry (29) celebrate stopping San Antonio Brahmas running back Morgan Ellison for a loss in the fourth quarter at the XFL conference championship at the Dome at America’s Center on Sunday, June 9, 2024.
St. Louis Battlehawks linebacker Travis Feeney pressures Brahmas quarterback Chase Garbers in the fourth quarter of a 25-15 loss to San Antonio at the XFL conference championship at the Dome at America’s Center on Sunday, June 9, 2024.
St. Louis Battlehawks wide receiver Darrius Shepherd turns the corner in the fourth quarter after catching a pass during a 25-15 loss to the San Antonio Brahmas at the XFL conference championship at the Dome at America’s Center on Sunday, June 9, 2024.
Battlehawks quarterback A.J. McCarron walks off the field after a 25-15 loss to the San Antonio Brahmas during the UFL conference championship at The Dome at America’s Center on Sunday, June 9, 2024.
St. Louis Battlehawks wide receiver Jahcour Pearson looks for blockers as he makes a fourth quarter gain during a 25-15 loss to the San Antonio Brahmas at the XFL conference championship at the Dome at America’s Center on Sunday, June 9, 2024.
St. Louis Battlehawks wide receiver Hakeem Butler walks off the field following a 25-15 loss to the San Antonio Brahmas during the XFL conference championship at the Dome at America’s Center on Sunday, June 9, 2024.
San Antonio Brahmas cornerback Teez Tabor offers the ball to St. Louis Battlehawks fans after recovering a second half fumble during a 25-15 win over the Battlehawks in the XFL conference championship at the Dome at America’s Center on Sunday, June 9, 2024.
St. Louis Battlehawks fan Nathan Harrin, second from left, joins his friends in the ‘Hawks Nest’ during a 25-15 loss to the San Antonio Brahmas at the XFL conference championship at the Dome at America’s Center on Sunday, June 9, 2024.
