This statistic is indicative of a significant decrease in viewership for MLB local broadcasts over the past decade. Even for a game that didnt exactly live up to the hype, the numbers were stellar for ESPN. There are complexities around the data that dont allow easy comparisons across eras. And its near certain when the final numbers come in that the 2021 World Series will be the sixth in a row. 2 Baths. Actually, several problems. One thing that has had a negative effect is the length of games and more importantly, the pace of play during them. Well also discuss which platforms are driving more engagement with baseball fans across America. It is possible that 2021 will be the second-lowest viewed World Series since Nielsen started tracking it in 1968. Former Natl Sportswriter Of The Year Nominee, BBWAA, MLB, Motorsports, numbers. The final games in each series also ended on a bright note, with FOX and TBS pulling in a sizable audience. Almost 860,000 on CBS watched the 1-1 draw between Manchester United and Atltico Madrid on Wednesday in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League round. The most-watched regular-season game in 2020 drew 4 million viewers while the World Series averaged 9.8 million viewers on FOX that same year. MLB.TV, which allows fans to watch out-of-market games, is quickly gaining in popularity. An AL Wild Card Game between the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees proved to be ratings gold. Lets go back to 1975. Nearby homes similar to 3723 Huntington Dr have recently sold between $3,800K to $3,800K at an average of $425 per square foot. Its not reaching young kids. 92003 -- No. In recent years, MLB teams have regularly averaged about 100,000 viewers for their games on RSNs, including an average viewership of 96,000 for MLB games in 2022. The league could host multiple games at the stadium, featuring some of the most popular teams. World Series ratings for Game 2 were similar. Factors such as changes in viewing habits, popularity of other sports, and regional differences have contributed to this trend. Before other sports exploded in popularity, MLB ratings for the All-Star Game averaged 22-plus million in the early 1990s. 4 \n2012 -- No. The remarkable 68% increase in local ratings for MLB games in Atlanta is a testament to the enduring popularity of the sport. The broadcast peaked on ABC with 4.58 million viewers at 5:15 p.m. On Saturday, October 8, as Game 2 of both the Padres vs. Mets and Phillies vs. Cardinals series were taking place, an average of 6.44 million viewers were watching the games across ESPN and ESPN2 at 10:30 p.m. *Please note, due to a processing error by Nielsen, there may be slight adjustments to the final viewership averages for ESPN game telecasts on Friday, October 7. Viewership is up 89% from the 2020 MLB playoffs and there is a 3% spike from the playoffs in 2019. It shows that more people are turning to digital platforms to watch their favorite teams play, which is a testament to the increasing accessibility of MLB games. It was the largest LDS audience dating back to Game 4 2018 between the Yankees and Red Sox (7.15 million). Plenty can be made of the MLB ratings on cable and what it means for the games future. The final MLB game of 2022 reached a peak audience of 14.73 million viewers during the game. Nearby homes similar to 2323 Huntington St #807 have recently sold between $720K to $1M at an average of $600 per square foot. The epic Super Bowl between the Patriots and Seahawks was also the highest rated in nearly 30 years, with 49.7% of households tuning into the big game. 2022 MLB All-Star Game Drew Record-Low TV Viewership 1 (Astros vs. Dodgers)2018 -- No. Fringe fans are the ones left on the outside when the games turn into slogs that move at the pace of cold molasses. Viewership for ESPNs exclusive coverage of the 2022 MLB Wild Card Series Presented by Hankook Tire was up 64 percent from 2020 the only other MLB Wild Card Series according to Nielsen. Typically, NFL viewership leads among the major professional sports leagues in the United States, while the MLB generally holds a higher viewership than the NBA and NHL. After all, youre invested and locked into the game after purchasing your ticket. This year, ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC combined to average 2.8 million viewers across nine games, up from 1.7 million viewers for 18 games in 2020. And it delivered 22 hours of primetime TV for the six-game series.\n\nHere's how the World Series has stacked up to other primetime entertainment TV programming every year since 2000, when FOX began airing the Fall Classic every year.\n\n2000 -- No. It greatly surpassed Game 6 from the 2020 World Series (10.06 million viewers) and beat out the 2019 World Series (11.39 million). Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. Need Photos? Of course, it isnt. Let's go. The game topped the Eagles-Texans Thursday Night Football game streaming on Amazon Prime Video that same night -- a matchup between the same cities playing in the World Series -- which had 7.86 million viewers. Throw in that one team (Astros) still is feeling the fan effect of the sign-stealing scandal from 2017, and the other (Atlanta) is dealing with what many see as a racist chant and chop that has been denounced by the National Congress of American Indians, and that, too, has played into fringe fan interest. 2000 -- No. Factors that contribute to the popularity of MLB games among viewers include team performance, regional loyalty, player popularity, exciting game situations, and rivalries among opposing teams. As of July 19, the saw a designated media area(DMA) TV household average for the league of 1,836,749 compared to the 60-game shortened 2020 season average of 1,804,540 a +2% increase according to Nielsen The teams managers and general managers are in the business of winning games. As such, this statistic is an important one to consider when discussing MLB viewership statistics. 82001 -- No. But as MLB ratings and its popularity dipped in recent years, ESPN focused its resources on the NFL and NBA. Theres little doubting that this article will need to resurface again next year. The World Series continues to be a standout in primetime television. Plus, they all embrace the type of game this sport should become, where players are encouraged to have fun and let loose. And those viewers likely will move off to something else. (The World Series delivers approximately the same amount of TV time as a full season of a one-hour primetime television show.). Quit perpetuating the myth that this is a new thing. This is a BETA experience. Tied into that conversation is the narrative that because of the late start times in the Eastern Time zone, kids are not able to watch the games to their completion due to school nights, and therefore, MLB is missing out on growing the game with youth. The World Series will be the most-watched television content all year, minus the NFL. Major League Baseball and its fans have raised alarms in recent years over a perceived decline in the popularity of baseball in the United States. The MLB on FOX package averaged 2.403 million viewers, marking an +8% increase over last year and its highest average since 2012 (2.536 million) based on Nielsen Fast Nationals. From then until the 1980s, the overwhelming majority of households had just three channels on over-the-air television. To bolster the idea that while the numbers are down, advertisers still see exceptional value in showing their products and services on regional sports networks that host Major League Baseball, Sloan said that advertisers are flocking to baseball. In a rare instance for TBS, thanks to the game, they had the most-watched broadcast on Saturday night. If not for the fans, who want to see more entertaining three-hour games, then for MLB ratings and revenue. And without the White Sox dramatic increase, decline for the league compared to 2019 would assuredly be lower still. FeaturedChatGPT Statistics & Facts in 2023, FeaturedStatistics about Fast Fashion in 2023, FeaturedStatistics & Facts About Technology Addiction, FeaturedLearn Everything About Retention Marketing, What Is A Marketing Campaign: Definition & The Best Practices, Account-Based Marketing: Past, Present & Future, Responsibility vs. From average game viewership and national broadcasts on FOX and ESPN, to local ratings for individual teams like the Los Angeles Dodgers or Atlanta Braves, there have been some interesting trends in terms of who is tuning into Major League Baseball games. First off, this is a narrative created by people in the Eastern Time zone. 2 Beds. It shows that despite the challenges of the 2020 season, viewers were still eager to tune in and watch the action. Declining interest in baseball doesnt fall on the players shoulders, its because MLB and commissioner Rob Manfred have made done nothing to attract more fans, especially a young audience. 1 primetime entertainment program was in 2001, when the D-backs defeated the Yankees in one of the most memorable World Series of all time. Whatever the cause, this statistic is a telling sign that MLB needs to take action to ensure that its viewership numbers remain strong. Thus far, Game 5 has had the largest average audience at 13.993 million. \"And we actually saw a pretty good pop, especially for Game 1, among 18-34s. They can only buy the here and now. The viewership report arrives . By comparison, "The Equalizer" on CBS -- the top-rated primetime entertainment TV show -- was averaging 7.07 million viewers per episode for the 2022 fall season at the time the World Series ended. Is that myth that the pace and length of games are enough to undermine the World Series as a prime piece of network broadcast content? Every year, it seems, pundits that dont follow the complexities of television viewership over the years, dive into the viewership numbers for the World Series and say the numbers declining are a sign that MLB is dying.. "60 Minutes," the top-rated news program, was averaging 8.92 million viewers. As detailed by Forbes, the change has had a direct impact on MLB ratings. In conclusion, MLB viewership has seen a variety of changes over the past few years. Its at least a sign that the league is navigating its way through modernizing sports. While viewership is up compared to the 2020 season, MLB has seen its league-wide household average fall 12% when comparing the 2021 and 2019 seasons. The results have led to regional ratings dropping in several markets. Baseball will never return to its peak as Americas Pastime, both the NFL and NBA evolved much faster. This year's World Series averaged 11.78 million viewers on FOX alone. Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. This is an important piece of information for any blog post about MLB viewership statistics, as it shows the level of engagement that the Dodgers have with their fans. FOX's World Series TV viewership in 2022 was comparable to last year's Fall Classic (11.94 million) and cemented the gains made from the 2020 season (9.95 million). It is a sign that the MLB needs to take steps to ensure that its viewership numbers remain high in the future, and that it can continue to attract fans to its games. Its why Im a baseball fan and kids arent into baseball because they have to go to bed earlier.. Bally Sports, which is owned by Diamond Sports Group, a partnership between Sinclair Broadcast Group and Byron Allens Entertainment Studios, has been unable to reach distribution with OTT providers such as Hulu, YouTube TV, Sling TV, and Dish, a key factor in some of the drop. But the Series is still one of the most powerful events on the calendar,\" Mulvihill said. This statistic is indicative of the growing popularity of MLB live game streaming on FOX Sports digital platforms. 1 (Cubs vs. Guardians)2017 -- No. When looking at the average television audience of the World Series vs. prime time entertainment programming such as comedies and dramas in live, plus same day viewership, World Series viewership has actually improved. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, MLB was able to draw in a sizable audience, demonstrating the leagues resilience and staying power. So lets dive right in. There are several driving forces behind this, a majority of which fall on the shoulders of Manfred and league officials. 1 primetime entertainment program was in 2001, when the D-backs defeated the Yankees in one of the most memorable World Series of all time. But this seasons numbers are promising for the game. So, in six years, more than 20% of households in the U.S. have dropped pay television. At a time when ESPN has pulled back on some of its MLB broadcasts, the success of the derby is significant. At home on television where there are thousands of viewing options, its easy to switch to something else. Pitchers already held a massive advantage, with hitters being the ones that had to react. The COVID-19 pandemic delayed the showcase game for a year, but the Chicago White Sox and New York Yankees delivered a thriller. 8 \n_2001 -- No. Despite Myths Baseball Is 'Dying,' Here's Why MLB Is - Forbes Looking at 2021 compared to the shortened season last year, 12 of 29 see drops in TV households with the biggest drop being the As who are +24% compared to 2019, but down -13% when measured against 2020. 122009 -- No. 1 (Nationals vs. Astros)2020 -- No. That certainly explains part of why ESPN has decided to only show Sunday Night Baseball exclusively beginning in 2022 while forgoing mid-week games that are non-exclusive. Don't miss out! (Photo by Thomas A. Ferrara/Newsday RM via Getty Images). League Championship Series matchups between the Atlanta Braves-Los Angeles Dodgers and Boston Red Sox-Houston Astros proved fruitful for MLB and its broadcast partners. Is the game dying due to declines? The fact that the American League Championship Series (ALCS) averaged approximately 2.7 million viewers in 2020 is a testament to the enduring popularity of Major League Baseball. Related: Hungry for more MLB news? But is that enough to mean baseball is dying. In which demographic groups is MLB viewership the highest? This statistic is an important piece of evidence when discussing MLB viewership statistics, as it shows that the sport is still able to draw in a large audience. They can't buy the 1980 World Series. As the 2020 MLB season comes to a close, its time to take a look at how viewership has fared over the past few years. 4 \n2015 -- No. All 30 MLB teams were in action, and on average, they took two hours and 36 minutes to go about their baseball business, exactly in line with the full-season standard for nine-inning games in 2023 . While the audience size is larger than 2020, that was to be expected. Well, not exactly. 9 \n2013 -- No. TBS finished its season with 316,000 for Phillies-Astros on Tuesday night, a game that aired directly opposite Aaron Judge's record-setting 62nd home run on MLB Network (and YES Network in New York). Myths need more myth-busting. 1 (Astros vs. Phillies). It suggests that fewer people are tuning in to watch their favorite teams, which could be a cause for concern for the league. Game 3 in Philadelphia, when Bryce Harper's home run sparked the Phillies to a win in their first home game of the series, was also the most-watched telecast of the day on any network (11.16 million viewers) -- and was the best-rated MLB game in Philadelphia since the 2010 Phillies-Giants NLCS. Not all the myths are here to paint some wholly rosy picture of Major League Baseball. This statistic is a testament to the Los Angeles Dodgers immense popularity, demonstrating that they are the most watched MLB team in 2019. Making sense of the numbers is a bit of apples to apples, apples to oranges, and apples to apple pie comparisons. SEO Marketing: Importance, Definition And How To Do It, The Importance Of SEO In Advertising Strategies, What Is Local SEO: Definition And Importance. After a thrilling fight to the finish during the regular season, MLB got what it wanted. It shows that the team still has a dedicated fan base that is eager to watch their games, no matter the circumstances. This statistic is a reminder that baseball is still a beloved pastime, and that MLB viewership statistics remain strong. The deciding game five recorded an average audience of 4.95 million viewers on TBS, . "60 Minutes," the top-rated news program, was averaging 8.92 million viewers. When the Padres faced the Dodgers in April, 2.01 million people tuned in to watch a potential playoff matchup. 122007 -- No. This has had an overarching effect on all television, minus one, the NFL. MLB viewership has experienced fluctuations over the past decade, showing a slight decline in recent years. By cutting the number of games ESPN exclusively broadcasts in half, MLB can sell those matchups elsewhere. As the table shows below, MLB ratings for the World Series have struggled in recent years as the sports popularity declines. Our newsletter is packed with essential growth strategies for your business. So, it may take some time for viewership to rebound to pre-pandemic levels as we saw in 2019. Every year, a narrative gets spun that, Back in my day, games didnt go past midnight. Nov 15, 2022 The games of the 2022 World Series, in which the Houston Astros achieved a six-game series win over the Philadelphia Phillies, were watched by an average of 11.8 million. The average MLB game in 2019 lasted three hours and ten minutes, a record-high and a full 40 minutes longer than the average game that 44 million fans watched . 839 N Summit Ave, Pasadena, CA 91103. 3 \n2014 -- No. Ft. 839 N Summit Ave, Pasadena, CA 91103. 2323 Huntington St, Huntington Beach, CA 92648 | realtor.com The effects of this still havent really hit yet. What Is The Hybrid Work Model & Why Do Employees Want It? "The percentage of our World Series viewership that's coming from streaming is small, but it's growing, and we want to make sure that the content is available to people in any setting," Mulvihill said. This statistic highlights the fact that MLB games are becoming increasingly popular, even outside of the United States. Back to all those older baseball fans that bemoan the late start times on the East Coast, and long for games in the 80s and 90s when games were played earlier, its a myth. In an effort to maximize MLB ratings, it could broadcast one game on Fox for the networks Saturday broadcast and then play a second game on ESPNs Sunday Night Baseball. Television broadcasting rights and contracts play a significant role in MLB viewership, as they determine which networks carry the games and the quality of the broadcast. 20823 Beach Blvd, Huntington Beach, CA - MapQuest The American League Championship Series (ALCS) averaged approximately 2.7 million viewers in 2020. Game 7, alone, drew an eye-popping 51.56 million average viewers. Home Run! Viewership for ESPN's Exclusive Coverage of 2022 MLB Wild At the time, it was shocking to note that the 6- to 17-year-old demographic made up the same percentage of viewers at 8 p.m. as it did at midnight. When he came back to the topic in 2016, he found out that that those numbers still held water. Our Software Directory features more than 1000 software reviews across all categories. When Major League Baseball announced its plans for a game to honor the classic baseball film Field of Dreams, everyone was excited. 18 Beds. Looking at mid-season numbers compared to 2020 when games didnt start until July 23, there were no fans in the stands and expanded playoff teams muddies the waters. Creative Employee Appreciation Week Ideas, Cyber Security KPIs: Guide & Explanation 2023, Conversion KPIs: Guide & Explanation 2023, Subscription KPIs: Guide & Explanation 2023, Sales Manager KPIs: Guide & Explanation 2023, Supply Chain Management KPIs: Guide & Explanation 2023, Non Financial KPIs: Guide & Explanation 2023, Problem Management KPIs: Guide & Explanation 2023. While commissioner Rob Manfred didnt reveal which teams would play, Chicago Cubs skipper David Ross already let it slip that his team would be taking part. The World Series still generated top-10 viewership numbers for most of the 2000s, but since 2016 especially it's dominated primetime TV.\n\n\"I think the reason it matters is, in the end, this is an advertiser-supported business,\" Mulvihill said. DIS It was the most-watched baseball game on ESPN since 1998, per Nielsen, and the. Quite the contrary, FOX is happy about it. Major League Baseball (MLB) is a North American professional sports league, made up of 30 teams that compete in the American League and the National League. If teams are limited to specific defensive positioning on the field and hitters are the only ones asked to change, the issue wont go away. MLB increased viewership; attendance in 2019 "Just the sheer scale of the audience is a big positive for baseball. 1 primetime entertainment program on TV -- comparing the average television audience for the World Series vs. the audience for a full season of any primetime entertainment program. 1 (Braves vs. Astros)2022 -- No. I believe it. 2023 MLB viewership is up; are new rules working for fans? Starting with the advent of night games on broadcast television, Major League Baseball had games air at 8:30pm ET. Additionally, local ratings for MLB games saw increases across many teams including Houston (74%), Atlanta (68%) and Los Angeles Dodgers (8%). This statistic is a testament to the enduring popularity of the MLB World Series. However, this varies from region to region and can change during playoff seasons and special events like the World Series. 42015 -- No. Babe Ruth vs. Josh Gibson: Who was a better hitter? The 2022 Fall Classic also averaged 12.02 million total viewers across FOX, FOX Deportes and FOX Sports streaming platforms, as the Astros won their second championship in six years and Dusty Baker won his long-awaited first World Series as a manager. 42005 -- No. The Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate after defeating the Tampa Bay Rays 3-1 in Game Six to win the 2020 MLB World Series at Globe Life Field on October 27, 2020 in Arlington, Texas. After pulling in a smaller audience, compared to the 2019 World Series, MLB and FOX gained a sizable boost in the TV ratings for Game 4 and 5. 1 (D-backs vs. Yankees)_ \n2002 -- No. Thanks to the Los Angeles market, NLCS Game 4 (5.37 million) and Game 5 (5.1 million) pulled in huge numbers. $720,000 Last Sold Price. Mulvihill said this year's World Series audience "totally met" FOX's expectations, with a similar matchup to last year's (Astros-Phillies in 2022, Astros-Braves in 2021) and a similarly competitive series (both six games). Each year around the World Series there are countless conversations around TV viewership numbers and late start times that have a throng shouting that the game is too old. What Is SEO Positioning, And Why Should You Start Using It? League officials must do a far better job marketing baseballs biggest stars, especially those who will be the face of this sport for years to come. Between ESPN and ESPN2, 7.7 million viewers watched the Red Sox beat the Yankees in the winner-take-all game. They're making a choice between entertainment content, news content and the World Series.". The answer is, all of those are myths. Each national share point represented 3,117,000 homes in 2022 (each year the number changes: in 2003 it was 1,084,000; in 2002 it was 1,067,000; in 2001 it was 1,055,000; in 1999 it was 1,008,000). So, baseball is "dying", right? NLSN NEW YORK - NBA viewership across TNT, ESPN and ABC through MLK Day (27 games) is up 34% vs. the comparable number of games during the 2019-20 season (2.0 million average viewers vs. 1.49 million . The amount of minutes fans watched of MLB.TV rose 12% from this past season and 43% from 2019. And there is still the belief that the pandemic is weighing down on the numbers. World Series Television Ratings (1968 - 2022) | Baseball Almanac After sitting at 52 in 2000. In 2018, the game averaged 452,000 viewers, and in 2017 it averaged 420,000, per Sports Media Watch. 2323 Huntington St #807, Huntington Beach, CA 92648 - Redfin Scrum Be Used To Improve Business Processes? MLB on Fox made its season debut on May 23 (Boston Red Sox vs. Philadelphia Phillies). The seven-year deal begins in 2022 and grants ESPN exclusive rights to broadcast any expansion to the MLB Wild Card round. Finding the Best Free Online Meeting Software. ","type":"markdown"},{"__typename":"ExternalEmbed","data":{"__typename":"ExternalEmbedContent","html":", The @Phillies stunning comeback victory over the Astros in Game 1 of the #WorldSeries scores year-to-year viewership increases for @MLBONFOX pic.twitter.com/eRze5VteK6, The 2022 #WorldSeries has generated TV and social media gains through the first three games compared to 2021. pic.twitter.com/SoYegQr4ag, Legendary #WorldSeries Game 4 on FOX between the Astros and Phillies checks in as the most-streamed #WorldSeries Game 4 in @FOXSports history with an average minute audience of 247,741up 50% vs. 2021. Mercadolibre: Business Model, SWOT Analysis & Competitor, Urban Outfitters: Business Model, SWOT Analysis & Competitors. SOLD JUN 2, 2022. "I sometimes get frustrated when we make those comparisons to 20 or 30 years ago, because the advertisers can't buy the 1990 World Series. This statistic is a telling indication of the state of MLB viewership. The 2021 All-Star game in Denver averaged a 4.5 rating and 8.32 million viewers on Fox, which was down 7% in ratings and 10% in viewership from '20. Whereas fans in the 1980s and even the early 1990s would tune in to national games to see teams they might not otherwise get to, once the RSNs began to air almost the entire slate of games for each team, fans moved over to those channels. The Onboarding Process That Makes New Hires Fall In Love With Your Company, Communication Styles: Definition, Importance & More, 10 Fun Ice Breaker Games Your Employees Will Enjoy, Asynchronous Discussion: Advantages & Disadvantages, What Is Remote Communication: The Ultimate Guide, The 8 virtual company holiday party ideas, Featured30 Online Business Ideas for Small Entrepreneurs, FeaturedIntrapreneurship: Comprehensive Guide, Instagram Money Scams To Watch Out For 2023. I just dont think fans are acting the way that they have done previously before the pandemic.. It marked an improvement on the all-time low (10.3 million, 2.7 rating) for the final game in the 2020 World Series. The postseason is expected to be expanded in the next collective bargaining agreement. MLB live game streaming on FOX Sports digital platforms during the 2020 regular season was up 13% compared to 2019. Indeed, the 1975 World Series between the Boston Red Sox and Cincinnati Reds saw an average of nearly 36 million viewers over seven games. James Pitaro, Chairman, ESPN and Sports Content, ESPN+ to Stream 31 Major League Baseball Games in May, Tampa Bay Rays vs. Cleveland Guardians on ESPN Game 1, Philadelphia Phillies vs. St. Louis Cardinals on ABC Game 1, Seattle Mariners vs. Toronto Blue Jays on ESPN Game 1, San Diego Padres vs. New York Mets on ESPN Game 1, Tampa Bay Rays vs. Cleveland Guardians on ESPN2 Game 2, Seattle Mariners vs. Toronto Blue Jays on ESPN Game 2, San Diego Padres vs. New York Mets on ESPN Game 2, Philadelphia Phillies vs. St. Louis Cardinals on ESPN2 Game 2, San Diego Padres vs. New York Mets Game 3. Thus far, the television ratings have offered mixed results. The pivotal World Series Game 5 had 13.01 million viewers across all platforms and 12.77 million just on the FOX TV broadcast. Is MLB Losing 'Tremendous Numbers of Fans,' as Donald Trump - Newsweek ". Now, traditional linear television on cable or satellite can see thousands of channels, and there are now streaming channels and video game options that were never in place at the time of the lofty 1970s and 80s numbers.