UPDATE: Major League Baseball (MLB) is experiencing a historic postseason surge in viewership, with ratings hitting their highest level in 15 years. New data from MLB and Nielsen reveals that the average viewership for the division series stands at an impressive 4.33 million fans, marking a 30% increase from last year and the best since 2010.
In a thrilling showdown last Friday, the Seattle Mariners faced off against the Detroit Tigers in a nail-biting 15-inning game that captivated audiences, averaging 8.72 million viewers across Fox, Fox Deportes, and streaming platforms. This remarkable viewership makes it the most-watched division round game on Fox since the Detroit Tigers defeated the New York Yankees in 2011, which averaged 9.72 million viewers.
The excitement is palpable as the two American League Division Series games aired on Fox, FS1, and FS2 averaged 4.15 million viewers, the highest for any division round on any network since the NL Division Series on TBS featuring the Cubs and Cardinals. The series between the Toronto Blue Jays and the New York Yankees, which concluded with the Blue Jays’ victory in four games, averaged 7.65 million viewers across both the U.S. and Canada.
Overall, viewership for all four division series games in the U.S. averaged 4.17 million, marking a significant 17% increase from last year’s figures and the best since 2011. The Blue Jays also saw impressive numbers in Canada, with their division series games averaging 3.65 million, a 10% increase from their last appearance in the American League Division Series in 2016.
As the postseason progresses, Sunday’s first game of the AL Championship Series between the Seattle Mariners and the Toronto Blue Jays drew in 5.31 million viewers, reflecting a remarkable 32% increase over last year’s Game 1 of the ALCS, which featured Cleveland facing the Yankees on TBS.
These significant viewership numbers underscore the heightened interest and excitement surrounding this year’s MLB postseason, engaging fans more than ever. The urgency of these developments is palpable as teams battle for a chance at the World Series, making this a must-watch season for baseball enthusiasts.
With the postseason heating up, fans are eager to see how the ratings will evolve as the playoffs continue. Keep an eye on upcoming matchups, as each game has the potential to draw in even more viewers and set new records. Stay tuned for further updates as MLB’s postseason unfolds in real-time!