Here are the viewership numbers for most if not all games on MLB Network for the 2013 season.
Seven of the top eight, nine of the top eleven, twelve of the top sixteen, and fourteen of the twenty most-watched games on MLB Network involved either the Red Sox or Yankees, with the top game being an “MLB Network Showcase” game between the teams at Fenway Park September 13 that attracted 450,000 viewers. Games between the Red Sox and Yankees also finished fifth, seventh, eighth, tenth, sixteenth, and eighteenth. The Yankees also produced the most-watched “matinee” game, when they hosted the Twins July 13 and attracted 408,000 viewers. The most-watched American League game not to involve either team was the Orioles at the White Sox on the Fourth of July, which attracted 319,000 viewers, only enough for 22nd among all MLB Network games.
The National League was not much better balanced. The five most-watched NL games involved either the Cardinals or Braves, including two games between the teams; in fact, the most-watched NL game not to involve either team, the Giants-Reds “Showcase” game July 2, didn’t do much better than Orioles-White Sox at 320,000 viewers. A Cubs-Braves game on April 5 was the most-watched game not to involve the Yankees with 433,000 viewers. The Mets were able to attract audiences when they were playing the Yankees; of the four games involving the Yankees and Red Sox in the top eleven that weren’t against one another, two were part of the Subway Series, including a game at Citi Field on May 27 that placed second overall (and was the most-watched non-“Showcase” game) with 444,000 viewers.
However, having one of the Yankees, Red Sox, Cardinals, or Braves was no guarantee of getting a big audience, especially for an afternoon game. The least-watched game in my records was between the Royals and Braves on April 17, a game only 80,000 people watched. The least-watched primetime game was Nationals-Cardinals September 23, with 115,000 viewers, which actually edged out a Rangers-Yankees afternoon game, and the least-watched “Showcase” game was the Civil Rights Game between the Rangers and White Sox that attracted 173,000 viewers August 24, followed by Cardinals-Reds June 7 with 215,000 viewers.
All numbers from Son of the Bronx.
| Vwr (mil) | HH | Time | |
| MLB Network Showcase: Yankees @ Red Sox |
0.45 |
0.3 |
9/13 7:00 PM |
| MLB: Yankees @ Mets |
0.444 |
0.3 |
5/27 7:00 PM |
| MLB: Cubs @ Braves |
0.433 |
0.3 |
4/5 7:35 PM |
| MLB: Red Sox @ Phillies |
0.425 |
0.3 |
5/29 7:00 PM |
| MLB: Red Sox @ Yankees |
0.419 |
0.3 |
4/4 7:07 PM |
| MLB: Twins @ Yankees |
0.408 |
0.3 |
7/13 1:00 PM |
| MLB Network Showcase: Red Sox @ Yankees |
0.407 |
0.3 |
9/5 7:00 PM |
| MLB: Red Sox @ Yankees |
0.393 |
0.3 |
9/6 7:00 PM |
| MLB Network Showcase: Cardinals @ Braves |
0.366 |
0.3 |
7/26 7:27 PM |
| MLB Network Showcase: Yankees @ Red Sox |
0.362 |
0.2 |
7/19 7:00 PM |
| MLB Network Showcase: Mets @ Yankees |
0.358 |
0.3 |
5/30 7:00 PM |
| MLB Network Showcase: Cardinals @ Pirates |
0.355 |
0.3 |
8/1 7:00 PM |
| MLB Network Showcase: Tigers @ Yankees |
0.355 |
0.3 |
8/9 7:44 PM |
| MLB Network Showcase: Braves @ Cardinals |
0.341 |
0.2 |
8/22 8:00 PM |
| MLB: Diamondbacks @ Red Sox |
0.34 |
0.2 |
8/3 7:00 PM |
| MLB Network Showcase: Red Sox @ Yankees |
0.332 |
0.3 |
5/31 7:00 PM |
| MLB Network Showcase: Orioles @ Yankees |
0.325 |
0.2 |
7/5 7:06 PM |
| MLB Network Showcase: Yankees @ Red Sox |
0.325 |
0.2 |
8/16 7:00 PM |
| MLB Network Showcase: Nationals @ Braves |
0.32 |
0.2 |
5/2 7:00 PM |
| MLB: Orioles @ Yankees |
0.32 |
0.2 |
7/6 1:00 PM |
| MLB Network Showcase: Giants @ Reds |
0.32 |
0.2 |
7/2 7:00 PM |
| MLB: Orioles @ White Sox |
0.319 |
0.2 |
7/4 2:43 PM |
| MLB: Red Sox @ Orioles |
0.318 |
0.2 |
6/13 7:00 PM |
| MLB: Red Sox @ Orioles |
0.315 |
0.2 |
7/27 7:30 PM |
| MLB: Yankees @ Rangers |
0.314 |
0.2 |
7/23 8:00 PM |
| MLB: Pirates @ Cardinals |
0.311 |
0.2 |
8/13 8:00 PM |
| MLB Network Showcase: Reds @ Braves |
0.303 |
0.2 |
7/11 7:00 PM |
| MLB: Rangers @ Yankees |
0.299 |
0.2 |
6/25 7:00 PM |
| MLB: Cardinals @ Pirates |
0.299 |
0.2 |
7/30 4:00 PM |
| MLB: Tigers @ Red Sox? |
0.299 |
0.2 |
9/3 7:00 PM |
| MLB: Indians @ Red Sox |
0.297 |
0.2 |
5/23 7:00 PM |
| MLB: Rangers @ Orioles |
0.294 |
0.2 |
7/9 7:00 PM |
| MLB Network Showcase: Braves @ Nationals |
0.289 |
0.2 |
8/6 7:00 PM |
| MLB: Orioles @ Rays |
0.287 |
0.2 |
4/2 3:07 PM |
| MLB: Reds @ Pirates |
0.286 |
0.2 |
9/20 7:00 PM |
| MLB: Braves @ Giants |
0.285 |
0.2 |
5/11 4:00 PM |
| MLB: Brewers @ Nationals |
0.284 |
0.2 |
7/4 11:00 AM |
| MLB: Royals @ Tigers |
0.282 |
0.2 |
9/14 7:00 PM |
| MLB: Red Sox @ Royals |
0.278 |
0.2 |
8/10 7:00 PM |
| MLB: Rangers @ Red Sox |
0.275 |
0.2 |
6/4 7:00 PM |
| MLB: Dodgers @ Braves |
0.274 |
0.2 |
5/17 7:30 PM |
| MLB: Yankees @ Rays |
0.274 |
0.2 |
5/25 4:00 PM |
| MLB Network Showcase: Orioles @ Red Sox |
0.273 |
0.2 |
8/29 7:00 PM |
| MLB: Orioles @ Red Sox |
0.272 |
0.2 |
9/17 7:00 PM |
| MLB Network Showcase: Giants @ Dodgers |
0.271 |
0.2 |
4/2 10:00 PM |
| MLB: Cardinals @ Pirates |
0.271 |
0.2 |
8/30 7:00 PM |
| MLB: Royals @ Red Sox |
0.269 |
0.2 |
4/20 1:00 PM |
| MLB: Cardinals @ Nationals |
0.269 |
0.2 |
4/23 7:00 PM |
| MLB Network Showcase: Tigers @ Rangers |
0.265 |
0.2 |
5/16 8:00 PM |
| MLB: Cardinals @ Phillies |
0.264 |
0.2 |
4/20 7:00 PM |
| MLB: Red Sox @ Rays |
0.261 |
0.2 |
9/10 7:00 PM |
| MLB Network Showcase: Cardinals @ Phillies |
0.26 |
0.2 |
4/18 7:01 PM |
| MLB: Dodgers @ Phillies |
0.259 |
0.2 |
8/17 7:00 PM |
| MLB: Cardinals @ Reds |
0.257 |
0.2 |
8/2 7:00 PM |
| MLB: Dodgers @ Giants |
0.256 |
0.2 |
5/4 9:00 PM |
| MLB Network Showcase: Red Sox @ Tigers |
0.255 |
0.2 |
6/20 7:00 PM |
| MLB: Yankees @ Tigers |
0.254 |
0.2 |
4/5 1:00 PM |
| MLB Network Showcase: Giants @ Braves |
0.253 |
0.2 |
6/14 7:30 PM |
| MLB: Braves @ Giants |
0.252 |
0.2 |
5/9 10:06 PM |
| MLB: Tigers @ Orioles |
0.252 |
0.2 |
6/1 4:00 PM |
| MLB: Mariners @ Rangers |
0.246 |
0.2 |
7/4 8:00 PM |
| MLB: Phillies @ Dodgers |
0.244 |
0.2 |
6/29 10:00 PM |
| MLB Network Showcase: Yankees @ Orioles |
0.243 |
0.2 |
5/21 7:00 PM |
| MLB: Rangers @ Tigers |
0.242 |
0.2 |
7/12 7:00 PM |
| MLB Network Showcase: Reds @ Cardinals |
0.241 |
0.2 |
4/30 8:00 PM |
| Major League Baseball Game |
0.241 |
0.2 |
5/30 1:00 PM |
| MLB: Red Sox @ Rays |
0.241 |
0.2 |
9/12 7:00 PM |
| MLB: Rays @ Yankees |
0.239 |
0.2 |
9/24 7:00 PM |
| MLB: Cardinals @ Reds |
0.238 |
0.2 |
9/2 1:00 PM |
| MLB: Nationals @ Mets |
0.237 |
0.2 |
6/29 1:00 PM |
| MLB: Tigers @ Indians |
0.237 |
0.2 |
8/8 7:00 PM |
| MLB: Red Sox @ Rangers |
0.236 |
0.2 |
5/3 8:00 PM |
| MLB: Orioles @ Yankees |
0.236 |
0.1 |
8/31 1:00 PM |
| MLB: Phillies @ Reds |
0.235 |
0.2 |
4/16 8:28 PM |
| MLB: Indians @ Tigers |
0.23 |
0.2 |
5/11 7:12 PM |
| MLB Network Showcase: Blue Jays @ Yankees |
0.222 |
0.2 |
4/25 7:00 PM |
| MLB: Red Sox @ Rays |
0.222 |
0.2 |
5/14 7:00 PM |
| MLB: Reds @ Padres |
0.222 |
0.2 |
7/30 10:07 PM |
| MLB: Diamondbacks @ Reds |
0.222 |
0.2 |
8/22 12:30 PM |
| MLB: Braves @ Tigers |
0.221 |
0.2 |
4/26 7:00 PM |
| MLB: Phillies @ Nationals |
0.221 |
0.1 |
5/24 7:00 PM |
| MLB: Indians @ Orioles |
0.22 |
0.2 |
6/27 7:00 PM |
| MLB: Rays @ Angels |
0.219 |
0.2 |
9/2 9:00 PM |
| MLB: Rangers @ Cardinals |
0.218 |
0.2 |
6/21 8:00 PM |
| MLB: Yankees @ Royals |
0.217 |
0.2 |
5/10 8:00 PM |
| MLB: Athletics @ Reds |
0.217 |
0.2 |
8/7 12:30 PM |
| MLB Network Showcase: Cardinals @ Reds |
0.215 |
0.2 |
6/7 7:00 PM |
| MLB: Reds @ Cardinals |
0.215 |
0.2 |
8/27 8:00 PM |
| MLB: Orioles @ Red Sox |
0.215 |
0.1 |
9/19 7:00 PM |
| MLB: Mariners @ Red Sox |
0.214 |
0.2 |
7/30 8:11 PM |
| MLB: Blue Jays @ Rays |
0.213 |
0.2 |
5/7 7:00 PM |
| MLB: Rangers @ Athletics |
0.21 |
0.1 |
9/2 4:00 PM |
| MLB: Pirates @ Cardinals |
0.207 |
0.1 |
9/7 7:00 PM |
| MLB: Pirates @ Cubs |
0.206 |
0.1 |
7/5 4:00 PM |
| MLB: Nationals @ Mets |
0.204 |
0.2 |
4/19 7:00 PM |
| MLB: Red Sox @ Athletics |
0.204 |
0.1 |
7/13 10:00 PM |
| MLB: Diamondbacks @ Reds |
0.203 |
0.2 |
8/20 7:00 PM |
| MLB: Giants @ Pirates |
0.202 |
0.1 |
6/11 7:00 PM |
| MLB: Rays @ Orioles |
0.202 |
0.1 |
8/19 7:00 PM |
| MLB: Dodgers @ Yankees |
0.195 |
0.1 |
6/19 1:00 PM |
| MLB: Orioles @ Rangers |
0.195 |
0.1 |
7/20 8:46 PM |
| MLB: Cardinals @ Pirates |
0.195 |
0.1 |
8/31 7:00 PM |
| MLB: Giants @ Rockies |
0.192 |
0.1 |
5/18 8:00 PM |
| MLB: Royals @ Tigers |
0.192 |
0.1 |
8/15 7:00 PM |
| MLB: White Sox @ Tigers |
0.191 |
0.1 |
7/11 1:00 PM |
| MLB: Athletics @ Tigers |
0.19 |
0.1 |
8/29 1:00 PM |
| MLB: Red Sox @ Giants |
0.189 |
0.1 |
8/21 3:30 PM |
| MLB: Reds @ Pirates |
0.186 |
0.1 |
9/21 7:00 PM |
| MLB: Marlins @ Phillies |
0.184 |
0.1 |
6/5 1:00 PM |
| MLB: Red Sox @ Rays |
0.178 |
0.1 |
9/9 7:00 PM |
| MLB: Brewers @ Dodgers |
0.177 |
0.1 |
4/27 9:00 PM |
| MLB: Orioles @ Diamondbacks |
0.176 |
0.1 |
8/14 3:30 PM |
| MLB: Rockies @ Red Sox |
0.173 |
0.1 |
6/26 4:00 PM |
| Civil Rights Game: Rangers @ White Sox |
0.173 |
0.1 |
8/24 7:00 PM |
| MLB: Yankees @ Rangers |
0.171 |
0.1 |
7/25 2:00 PM |
| MLB: Braves @ Reds |
0.17 |
0.1 |
5/8 12:26 PM |
| MLB: Red Sox @ Orioles |
0.17 |
0.1 |
6/15 4:00 PM |
| MLB: Reds @ Rangers |
0.17 |
0.1 |
6/28 8:00 PM |
| MLB: Cardinals @ Giants |
0.168 |
0.1 |
4/5 4:35 PM |
| MLB: Pirates @ Cardinals |
0.164 |
0.1 |
8/15 1:30 PM |
| MLB: Braves @ Cardinals |
0.163 |
0.1 |
8/23 8:00 PM |
| MLB: Rockies @ Diamondbacks |
0.161 |
0.1 |
7/6 10:00 PM |
| MLB: Twins @ Nationals |
0.16 |
0.1 |
6/8 4:00 PM |
| MLB: Cardinals @ Nationals |
0.153 |
0.1 |
4/24 1:00 PM |
| MLB: Phillies @ Braves |
0.149 |
0.1 |
9/28 7:00 PM |
| MLB: Angels @ Reds |
0.148 |
0.1 |
4/4 12:30 PM |
| MLB: Rockies @ Nationals |
0.147 |
0.1 |
6/22 12:00 PM |
| MLB: Giants @ Diamondbacks |
0.142 |
0.1 |
6/8 10:00 PM |
| MLB: Angels @ Rangers |
0.141 |
0.1 |
9/26 8:00 PM |
| MLB: Indians @ Twins |
0.139 |
0.1 |
9/27 8:00 PM |
| MLB: Rangers @ Rays |
0.133 |
0.1 |
9/16 7:00 PM |
| MLB: Royals @ Phillies |
0.131 |
0.1 |
4/6 7:00 PM |
| MLB: Astros @ Tigers |
0.129 |
0.1 |
5/15 1:00 PM |
| MLB: Giants @ Brewers |
0.122 |
0.1 |
4/18 1:00 PM |
| MLB: Nationals @ Cardinals |
0.115 |
0.1 |
9/23 8:00 PM |
| MLB: Rangers @ Yankees |
0.114 |
0.1 |
6/27 1:00 PM |
| MLB: Orioles @ Rays |
0.113 |
0.1 |
9/23 3:00 PM |
| MLB: Orioles @ Astros |
0.11 |
0.1 |
6/6 2:00 PM |
| MLB: Reds @ Cubs |
0.105 |
0.1 |
6/12 2:00 PM |
| MLB: Reds @ Mets |
0.1 |
0.1 |
5/22 1:00 PM |
| MLB: Braves @ Marlins |
0.093 |
0.1 |
7/10 12:30 PM |
| MLB: Tigers @ Blue Jays |
0.092 |
0.1 |
7/1 1:00 PM |
| MLB: Nationals @ Cardinals |
0.084 |
0.1 |
9/25 1:30 PM |
| MLB: Royals @ Braves |
0.08 |
0.1 |
4/17 12:00 PM |