Putting this post together was a mess. This year coincided with the Son of the Bronx shutdown, which affected MLB far more than other sports, and while I did lean on the guy to provide MLB Network and other baseball ratings from the “gap” I didn’t realize he would only provide the top five shows on MLB Network his first few weeks on Awful Announcing, probably not enough to cover every game. His early days at AA also coincided with the World Cup dominating ESPN’s top ten, meaning I might not even have every ESPN window with over a million viewers. Conversely, he started including numbers for the TBS game late in the season (which does about as well as a medium-high MLBN game, in other words, even worse than I thought) but not quite throughout TBS’ portion of the season.
Still, here’s every MLB game I do have numbers for. A couple of factors led me to not split this post up into two parts like I did last year. First, the new TV contract meant each Saturday had at least one game on Fox Sports 1 (as Fox broadcast’s schedule compressed down to just Baseball Night in America and some September windows), and with no one knowing where FS1 was until the postseason (and only needing to find out if their team on a Fox RSN had a “regional elevate” game), many FS1 games, especially those that weren’t regional elevates, had numbers on par with MLBN games. The other, of course, was having access to TBS figures. In addition, there seemed to be more games scheduled for ESPN2 than last year, and they got some bad ratings, on par with those other three networks I just mentioned. Finally, with Derek Jeter’s last home game getting a million viewers just on YES, I rolled its numbers up with MLB Network’s figures, and the result is a game that had more viewers than any window that wasn’t on Fox or Sunday Night Baseball, before MASN’s Orioles broadcast is even factored in. Counting an RSN might be a dicey proposition – those numbers aren’t widely available for most games, and the most-watched games across RSNs and (if applicable) national telecasts would quickly fill up with Yankees and Red Sox games – but it’s ultimately the same principle as including local simulcasts of cable NFL games, and this was truly rarified air.
Numbers on cable where household ratings are available or where 18-49 ratings are not, including all games on TBS or MLB Network, from Son of the Bronx or Awful Announcing. Numbers on broadcast from SportsBusiness Daily or Sports Media Watch. 18-49 numbers, where available, from TVbytheNumbers, The Futon Critic, or TV Media Insights.
| Vwr (mil) | HH | 18-49 | Time | Net | ||
|
1 |
Sun Nite Baseball: Rangers @ Angels (had USA/Portugal WC as lead-in) |
2.892 |
1.8 |
0.9 |
6/22 8:00 PM |
ESPN |
|
2 |
Baseball Night in America (main game: Red Sox @ Yankees) |
2.788 |
0.6 |
June 28 | FOX | |
|
3 |
Sunday Night Baseball: Red Sox @ Yankees |
2.765 |
1.8 |
0.9 |
4/13 8:00 PM |
ESPN |
|
4 |
Sunday Night Baseball: Red Sox @ Yankees |
2.623 |
1.8 |
0.7 |
6/29 8:00 PM |
ESPN |
|
5 |
Sunday Night Baseball: Dodgers @ Giants |
2.347 |
1.5 |
0.7 |
7/27 8:00 PM |
ESPN |
|
6 |
Sunday Night Baseball: Dodgers @ Cardinals |
2.322 |
1.5 |
0.6 |
7/20 8:00 PM |
ESPN |
|
7 |
MLB Opening Night: Dodgers @ Padres |
2.279 |
1.4 |
0.8 |
3/30 8:00 PM |
ESPN |
|
8 |
Sunday Night Baseball: Yankees @ Red Sox |
2.243 |
1.5 |
0.6 |
8/3 8:00 PM |
ESPN |
|
9 |
Baseball Night in America |
2.21 |
1.4 |
0.5 |
6/14 7:00 PM |
FOX |
|
10 |
Baseball Night in America |
2.197 |
1.4 |
0.4 |
6/21 7:00 PM |
FOX |
|
11 |
Sunday Night Baseball: Angels @ Yankees |
2.191 |
1.5 |
0.6 |
4/27 8:00 PM |
ESPN |
|
12 |
Baseball Night in America |
2.18 |
1.4 |
0.4 |
6/7 7:00 PM |
FOX |
|
13 |
Sunday Night Baseball: |
2.165 |
0.6 |
May 18 | ESPN | |
|
14 |
Baseball Night in America |
2.138 |
0.5 |
7/5 7:00 PM |
FOX | |
|
15 |
MLB: Orioles @ Yankees (Derek Jeter’s final home game) |
2.082 |
9/25 7:00 PM |
YES+ MLBN |
||
|
16 |
Baseball Night in America |
2.079 |
1.4 |
0.4 |
7/12 7:00 PM |
FOX |
|
17 |
Sunday Night Baseball: Yankees @ Orioles |
2.013 |
1.4 |
0.5 |
7/13 8:00 PM |
ESPN |
|
18 |
Sunday Night Baseball: Cardinals @ Cubs |
1.995 |
1.3 |
0.5 |
5/4 8:00 PM |
ESPN |
|
19 |
MLB: Regional coverage |
1.898 |
1.3 |
9/20 1:00 PM |
FOX | |
|
20 |
Baseball Night in America |
1.83 |
1.2 |
0.4 |
5/24 7:00 PM |
FOX |
|
21 |
Baseball Night in America |
1.771 |
1.2 |
0.4 |
5/31 7:00 PM |
FOX |
|
21 |
Sunday Night Baseball: Red Sox @ Tigers |
1.771 |
1.2 |
0.3 |
6/8 8:00 PM |
ESPN |
|
23 |
Sunday Night Baseball: Orioles @ Red Sox |
1.749 |
1.1 |
0.5 |
4/20 7:00 PM |
ESPN |
|
24 |
Sunday Night Baseball: Pirates @ Dodgers |
1.687 |
0.4 |
6/1 8:00 PM |
ESPN | |
|
25 |
Sunday Night Baseball: Rays @ Tigers |
1.601 |
0.4 |
7/6 8:00 PM |
ESPN | |
| Sunday Night Baseball: Giants @ Dodgers |
1.574 |
1.0 |
0.5 |
4/6 8:00 PM |
ESPN2 | |
| MLB: |
1.545 |
0.6 |
6/16 8:00 PM |
ESPN | ||
| Sunday Night Baseball: Nationals @ Braves |
1.464 |
1 |
0.3 |
8/10 8:00 PM |
ESPN | |
| Sunday Night Baseball: Cardinals @ Reds |
1.46 |
0.9 |
0.4 |
5/25 8:00 PM |
ESPN | |
| Sunday Night Baseball: |
1.421 |
1 |
0.3 |
5/11 8:00 PM |
ESPN | |
| Sunday Night Baseball: Angels @ Braves |
1.413 |
0.9 |
0.4 |
6/15 8:00 PM |
ESPN | |
| MLB: Regional coverage |
1.396 |
1.0 |
9/6 1:00 PM |
FOX | ||
| Sunday Night Baseball: Athletics @ Braves |
1.366 |
0.9 |
0.3 |
8/17 8:00 PM |
ESPN | |
| Sunday Night Baseball: Giants @ Tigers |
1.316 |
0.8 |
0.2 |
9/7 8:00 PM |
ESPN | |
| MLB: |
1.252 |
0.9 |
9/13 1:00 PM |
FOX | ||
| MLB: Rays @ Yankees |
1.173 |
0.4 |
6/30 7:00 PM |
ESPN | ||
| Sunday Night Baseball: Indians @ Royals |
1.17 |
0.8 |
8/31 8:00 PM |
ESPN2 | ||
| MLB: Tigers @ Yankees |
1.162 |
0.9 |
8/4 7:00 PM |
ESPN | ||
| MLB: Braves @ Phillies |
1.158 |
0.8 |
0.4 |
4/14 7:00 PM |
ESPN | |
| MLB: Giants @ Dodgers |
1.125 |
0.8 |
0.4 |
9/24 10:00 PM |
ESPN | |
| Sunday Night Baseball: Reds @ Cardinals |
1.12 |
0.7 |
0.3 |
9/21 8:00 PM |
ESPN | |
| Sunday Night Baseball: Yankees @ Orioles |
1.117 |
0.7 |
0.3 |
9/14 8:00 PM |
ESPN | |
| MLB: Regional coverage (main game: Yankees @ Red Sox) |
1.1 |
0.8 |
9/27 1:00 PM |
FOX | ||
| Sunday Night Baseball: Angels @ Athletics |
1.025 |
0.7 |
0.2 |
8/24 8:00 PM |
ESPN | |
| MLB: Pirates @ Cardinals |
1.023 |
0.7 |
0.3 |
7/9 8:00 PM |
ESPN | |
| MLB: Red Sox @ Yankees |
1.019 |
0.7 |
0.3 |
9/3 7:00 PM |
ESPN | |
| MLB: Red Sox @ Braves |
1.011 |
May 26 | ESPN | |||
| MLB: Rangers @ Red Sox |
0.948 |
0.6 |
0.3 |
4/7 7:00 PM |
ESPN | |
| MLB: Dodgers @ Braves |
0.947 |
8/11 7:00 PM |
ESPN | |||
| MLB: Yankees @ Royals |
0.915 |
0.7 |
0.2 |
8/25 7:00 PM |
ESPN | |
| MLB: |
0.906 |
0.6 |
0.3 |
4/23 7:00 PM |
ESPN | |
| MLB: |
0.903 |
0.3 |
5/27 7:00 PM |
ESPN | ||
| MLB: Tigers @ Indians |
0.892 |
0.2 |
5/19 8:00 PM |
ESPN | ||
| MLB: Orioles @ Yankees |
0.888 |
0.6 |
9/23 7:00 PM |
ESPN | ||
| MLB: Giants @ Dodgers |
0.858 |
0.6 |
0.3 |
9/23 10:00 PM |
ESPN | |
| MLB: |
0.831 |
0.4 |
9/16 8:00 PM |
ESPN | ||
| MLB: Padres @ Dodgers |
0.83 |
0.6 |
0.3 |
8/20 10:00 PM |
ESPN | |
| MLB: Rangers @ Yankees |
0.826 |
0.6 |
Wk of July 21 | ESPN | ||
| MLB: |
0.825 |
0.6 |
3/31 4:30 PM |
ESPN | ||
| MLB: Yankees @ Twins |
0.825 |
0.6 |
7/4 3:00 PM |
ESPN2 | ||
| MLB: |
0.824 |
0.2 |
5/14 7:00 PM |
ESPN | ||
| MLB: Dodgers @ Reds |
0.812 |
0.2 |
June 9 | ESPN | ||
| MLB: Rays @ Tigers |
0.811 |
0.3 |
7/4 7:00 PM |
ESPN | ||
| MLB: |
0.809 |
0.5 |
0.3 |
4/28 8:00 PM |
ESPN | |
| MLB: |
0.804 |
0.2 |
August 6 | ESPN | ||
| MLB: Cubs @ Red Sox |
0.798 |
7/2 7:00 PM |
ESPN | |||
| MLB: Royals @ Indians |
0.777 |
0.6 |
9/24 7:00 PM |
ESPN | ||
| MLB: Yankees @ Indians |
0.742 |
0.6 |
7/7 7:00 PM |
ESPN | ||
| MLB: Phillies @ Braves |
0.741 |
0.6 |
9/1 1:00 PM |
ESPN | ||
| MLB: Reds @ Dodgers |
0.728 |
May 27 | ESPN | |||
| MLB: |
0.717 |
5/12 8:00 PM |
ESPN | |||
| MLB: |
0.713 |
0.5 |
0.2 |
4/21 7:00 PM |
ESPN | |
| MLB: Angels @ Orioles |
0.713 |
0.5 |
Wk of July 28 | ESPN | ||
| MLB: Rockies @ Marlins |
0.703 |
0.5 |
0.2 |
3/31 7:00 PM |
ESPN2 | |
| MLB: Yankees @ Orioles |
0.692 |
8/13 7:00 PM |
ESPN | |||
| MLB: Royals @ Cardinals |
0.685 |
0.5 |
6/2 8:00 PM |
ESPN | ||
| MLB: |
0.684 |
0.5 |
3/31 1:00 PM |
ESPN | ||
| MLB: Athletics @ Angels |
0.681 |
0.5 |
0.3 |
4/14 10:52 PM |
ESPN | |
| MLB: |
0.677 |
0.5 |
3/31 10:12 PM |
ESPN2 | ||
| MLB: |
0.668 |
0.4 |
4/19 1:00 PM |
FS1 | ||
| MLB: Royals @ Tigers |
0.653 |
0.5 |
9/10 7:45 PM |
ESPN | ||
| MLB: Tigers @ Royals |
0.652 |
0.4 |
5/3 7:00 PM |
FS1 | ||
| MLB: |
0.65 |
0.4 |
5/5 7:00 PM |
ESPN | ||
| MLB: Tigers @ Indians |
0.65 |
0.5 |
9/1 4:30 PM |
ESPN | ||
| MLB: Indians @ Yankees |
0.64 |
0.5 |
0.1 |
8/9 1:00 PM |
FS1 | |
| MLB: Angels @ Yankees |
0.629 |
0.5 |
4/26 1:00 PM |
FS1 | ||
| MLB: Yankees @ Rangers |
0.622 |
0.4 |
7/29 8:00 PM |
FS1 | ||
| MLB: |
0.618 |
0.4 |
4/8 8:00 PM |
FS1 | ||
| MLB: Yankees @ Red Sox |
0.616 |
0.4 |
0.1 |
8/2 4:00 PM |
FS1 | |
| MLB: Athletics @ Yankees |
0.614 |
June 4 | ESPN | |||
| MLB: Dodgers @ Mets |
0.608 |
5/21 7:00 PM |
ESPN | |||
| MLB: Rangers @ Tigers |
0.592 |
FS1 | ||||
| MLB: Blue Jays @ Red Sox |
0.591 |
0.4 |
Wk of July 28 | ESPN | ||
| MLB: Nationals @ Braves |
0.588 |
0.4 |
9/17 7:00 PM |
ESPN | ||
| MLB: Yankees @ Tigers |
0.586 |
0.4 |
8/27 7:00 PM |
ESPN | ||
| MLB: Tigers @ Yankees (David Price’s Tiger debut) |
0.575 |
0.4 |
8/5 7:00 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB: Giants @ Phillies |
0.568 |
0.4 |
Wk of July 21 | ESPN | ||
| MLB: Red Sox @ Orioles (rain delay coverage) |
0.561 |
June 11 | ESPN | |||
| MLB: |
0.554 |
0.4 |
4/1 7:00 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB: |
0.549 |
0.4 |
4/2 8:00 PM |
ESPN2 | ||
| MLB: Cardinals @ Brewers |
0.546 |
0.4 |
7/12 4:00 PM |
FS1 | ||
| MLB: Royals @ Yankees |
0.523 |
0.4 |
9/6 4:00 PM |
FS1 | ||
| MLB: Indians @ Tigers |
0.522 |
0.3 |
7/19 7:00 PM |
FS1 | ||
| MLB: Diamondbacks @ Giants part 2 |
0.517 |
0.4 |
9/10 11:10 PM |
ESPN | ||
| MLB: Dodgers @ Cardinals |
0.514 |
0.4 |
7/19 4:00 PM |
FS1 | ||
| MLB Network Showcase: Red Sox @ Yankees |
0.498 |
0.3 |
4/10 7:00 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB: Nationals @ Brewers |
0.494 |
0.4 |
6/23 8:00 PM |
ESPN2 | ||
| MLB: Tigers @ Royals |
0.487 |
0.3 |
9/19 8:00 PM |
ESPN2 | ||
| MLB: Diamondbacks @ Padres |
0.485 |
0.4 |
9/3 10:00 PM |
ESPN | ||
| MLB: Pirates @ Yankees |
0.481 |
May 17? | FS1 | |||
| MLB: |
0.481 |
July 27 | TBS | |||
| MLB: Red Sox @ Yankees |
0.467 |
0.3 |
4/12 1:00 PM |
FS1 | ||
| MLB: |
0.465 |
0.4 |
3/31 3:00 PM |
ESPN2 | ||
| MLB: Twins @ Tigers |
0.463 |
0.3 |
6/14 4:00 PM |
FS1 | ||
| MLB: Yankees @ Twins |
0.461 |
0.3 |
7/3 8:00 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB: Yankees @ Cardinals |
0.456 |
5/26 5:30 PM |
ESPN2 | |||
| MLB: Pirates @ Cardinals |
0.446 |
0.3 |
4/26 4:00 PM |
FS1 | ||
| MLB: Mariners @ Angels |
0.437 |
0.3 |
9/17 10:00 PM |
ESPN | ||
| MLB: |
0.423 |
0.3 |
5/7 8:00 PM |
ESPN | ||
| MLB: Giants @ Dodgers |
0.421 |
0.3 |
4/5 4:00 PM |
FS1 | ||
| MLB: Padres @ Cardinals |
0.419 |
0.3 |
0.1 |
8/16 7:00 PM |
FS1 | |
| MLB: Diamondbacks @ Giants |
0.415 |
0.3 |
9/10 10:00 PM |
ESPN+ ESPN2 |
||
| MLB: Tigers @ Red Sox |
0.413 |
6/25 8:00 PM |
ESPN2 | |||
| MLB: |
0.408 |
5/29 7:00 PM |
MLBN | |||
| MLB Network Showcase: Red Sox @ Yankees |
0.408 |
0.3 |
6/27 7:00 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB: |
0.407 |
0.3 |
4/24 7:00 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB: |
0.401 |
July 20 | TBS | |||
| MLB: |
0.39 |
5/26 8:00 PM |
MLBN | |||
| MLB: |
0.389 |
5/15 7:00 PM |
MLBN | |||
| MLB: |
0.386 |
0.3 |
5/10 4:00 PM |
FS1 | ||
| MLB: Yankees @ Twins |
0.381 |
July 6 | TBS | |||
| MLB: Twins @ Indians |
0.38 |
0.3 |
4/5 1:00 PM |
FS1 | ||
| MLB Network Showcase: Nationals @ Dodgers |
0.379 |
0.2 |
9/1 8:00 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB: Yankees @ Red Sox (Derek Jeter’s final game) |
0.374 |
9/28 1:30 PM |
TBS | |||
| MLB Network Showcase: |
0.373 |
0.2 |
4/22 7:00 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB: Angels @ Dodgers |
0.37 |
0.3 |
8/5 10:00 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB: Brewers @ Dodgers (joined in progress) |
0.367 |
0.2 |
8/16 10:00 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB: |
0.36 |
5/17 7:00 PM |
MLBN | |||
| MLB: Reds @ Cardinals |
0.358 |
0.2 |
9/20 7:00 PM |
FS1 | ||
| MLB: Red Sox @ Yankees |
0.357 |
0.2 |
4/11 7:00 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB: Red Sox @ Indians |
0.356 |
0.2 |
6/3 8:00 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB: Yankees @ Rays |
0.351 |
0.3 |
8/16 4:00 PM |
FS1 | ||
| MLB: |
0.348 |
0.3 |
4/3 7:00 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB: Blue Jays @ Yankees |
0.343 |
0.3 |
7/26 1:00 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB Network Showcase: Dodgers @ Braves |
0.343 |
0.3 |
8/12 7:00 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB: Diamondbacks @ Braves |
0.342 |
0.2 |
7/5 4:00 PM |
FS1 | ||
| MLB: Angels @ Orioles |
0.342 |
0.3 |
7/31 7:00 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB: Angels @ Red Sox |
0.342 |
0.2 |
8/20 7:00 PM |
ESPN2 | ||
| MLB: |
0.341 |
0.2 |
4/16 7:00 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB Network Showcase: Yankees @ Red Sox |
0.34 |
0.2 |
8/1 7:00 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB: Pirates @ Reds |
0.34 |
0.2 |
9/27 1:00 PM |
FS1 | ||
| MLB: |
0.338 |
0.2 |
4/5 7:00 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB: Indians @ Rangers |
0.332 |
6/7 4:00 PM |
FS1 | |||
| MLB: Cardinals @ Orioles |
0.33 |
0.2 |
0.1 |
8/9 4:00 PM |
FS1 | |
| MLB Network Showcase: Orioles @ Nationals |
0.328 |
0.2 |
7/8 7:00 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB: Brewers @ Cardinals |
0.328 |
0.2 |
9/18 8:00 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB: |
0.327 |
0.2 |
4/4 7:34 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB: Reds @ Yankees |
0.326 |
0.2 |
7/19 1:00 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB Network Showcase: |
0.324 |
0.2 |
4/29 7:00 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB: |
0.321 |
0.2 |
4/9 7:00 PM |
ESPN2 | ||
| MLB Network Showcase: Cardinals @ Brewers (w/Bob Uecker) |
0.321 |
0.2 |
7/11 8:00 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB Network Showcase: Dodgers @ Cardinals |
0.317 |
0.2 |
7/18 8:00 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB: |
0.311 |
0.2 |
4/18 7:00 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB: |
0.307 |
0.2 |
4/20 1:30 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB: Twins @ Rangers |
0.303 |
0.2 |
6/28 4:00 PM |
FS1 | ||
| MLB: |
0.3 |
5/31 4:00 PM |
FS1 | |||
| MLB: Cardinals @ Dodgers |
0.298 |
0.2 |
6/26 10:00 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB: Twins @ Royals |
0.298 |
0.2 |
8/26 8:00 PM |
FS1 | ||
| MLB: |
0.295 |
0.2 |
4/7 1:00 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB: Cardinals @ Cubs |
0.295 |
0.2 |
5/3 1:00 PM |
FS1 | ||
| MLB: Rangers @ Angels |
0.294 |
0.2 |
6/21 10:00 PM |
FS1 | ||
| MLB: |
0.292 |
0.2 |
4/12 8:00 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB: |
0.291 |
0.2 |
4/6 1:00 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB: Orioles @ Yankees |
0.29 |
0.2 |
6/20 7:00 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB: |
0.289 |
0.2 |
4/7 4:37 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB: Red Sox @ Cardinals |
0.287 |
0.2 |
8/7 8:00 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB: |
0.286 |
0.2 |
5/11 2:00 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB: |
0.286 |
5/13 7:00 PM |
MLBN | |||
| MLB: |
0.286 |
5/18 1:00 PM |
MLBN | |||
| MLB Network Showcase: Braves @ Nationals |
0.286 |
0.2 |
6/19 7:00 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB Network Showcase: Red Sox @ Tigers |
0.284 |
0.2 |
6/6 7:00 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB: Tigers @ White Sox |
0.284 |
8/31 2:00 PM |
TBS | |||
| MLB: |
0.282 |
5/28 8:00 PM |
MLBN | |||
| MLB: |
0.281 |
0.2 |
5/10 7:30 PM |
FS1 | ||
| MLB Network Showcase: |
0.28 |
0.2 |
4/17 7:00 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB Network Showcase: |
0.28 |
0.2 |
4/21 11:00 AM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB: Cardinals @ Blue Jays |
0.279 |
0.2 |
6/7 1:00 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB: Red Sox @ Yankees |
0.277 |
0.2 |
9/4 7:00 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB: Marlins @ Braves |
0.275 |
0.2 |
7/24 7:00 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB: Yankees @ Blue Jays |
0.269 |
0.2 |
8/30 1:00 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB: |
0.268 |
0.2 |
4/12 4:00 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB: |
0.265 |
0.2 |
4/19 4:00 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB Network Showcase: |
0.261 |
0.2 |
4/4 2:00 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB: Dodgers @ Giants |
0.261 |
0.2 |
9/12 10:00 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB: Red Sox @ Yankees |
0.26 |
0.2 |
9/2 7:00 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB: Giants @ Dodgers |
0.26 |
0.2 |
9/22 10:00 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB: |
0.259 |
0.2 |
4/15 8:00 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB: Reds @ Giants |
0.258 |
0.2 |
6/29 4:00 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB: |
0.256 |
0.2 |
4/9 4:00 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB: Blue Jays @ Athletics |
0.254 |
0.2 |
7/5 10:00 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB: Twins @ Tigers |
0.254 |
0.2 |
9/26 7:00 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB: Pirates @ Giants |
0.252 |
0.2 |
7/29 10:00 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB: |
0.251 |
0.2 |
4/8 1:00 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB: |
0.25 |
5/16 8:00 PM |
MLBN | |||
| MLB: |
0.249 |
0.2 |
4/19 8:00 PM |
FS1 | ||
| MLB: Yankees @ Athletics |
0.246 |
0.2 |
6/14 10:00 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB: Braves @ Cubs |
0.245 |
0.2 |
7/11 4:00 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB: Angels @ Athletics (JIP) |
0.245 |
0.2 |
8/23 10:00 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB Network Showcase: Blue Jays @ Yankees |
0.243 |
0.2 |
7/25 7:00 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB: |
0.24 |
6/1 2:00 PM |
MLBN | |||
| MLB: Giants @ Nationals |
0.24 |
0.2 |
0 |
8/23 5:00 PM |
FS1 | |
| MLB: Dodgers @ Reds |
0.238 |
0.2 |
6/12 12:30 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB: Orioles @ Mariners |
0.238 |
0.2 |
7/24 10:00 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB: |
0.236 |
0.2 |
4/26 7:00 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB: |
0.236 |
0.2 |
5/1 7:00 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB: Pirates @ Giants |
0.236 |
0.2 |
7/30 4:00 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB Opening Series from Australia: |
0.232 |
0.2 |
3/22 10:15 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB: Royals @ Yankees? |
0.232 |
May 27 | ESPN2 | |||
| MLB: Indians @ Tigers |
0.23 |
0.2 |
9/12 7:00 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB: Indians @ Tigers |
0.23 |
9/14 1:00 PM |
TBS | |||
| MLB: Orioles @ Yankees |
0.229 |
0.2 |
6/21 1:00 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB: Yankees @ Blue Jays |
0.229 |
0.2 |
8/29 7:00 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB: Nationals @ Dodgers |
0.229 |
0.2 |
9/3 3:00 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB: |
0.228 |
0.2 |
4/1 10:54 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB Network Showcase: Tigers @ Rangers |
0.228 |
0.2 |
6/24 8:00 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB: |
0.227 |
0.2 |
5/1 1:00 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB: Red Sox @ Athletics |
0.227 |
0.2 |
6/21 4:00 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB: |
0.225 |
5/23 7:00 PM |
MLBN | |||
| MLB: Royals @ Yankees |
0.225 |
9/7 1:00 PM |
TBS | |||
| MLB: Cardinals @ Diamondbacks |
0.225 |
0.2 |
9/27 8:00 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB: Indians @ Royals |
0.223 |
0.2 |
7/26 7:00 PM |
FS1 | ||
| MLB: |
0.222 |
0.1 |
5/8 7:00 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB: |
0.221 |
0.2 |
5/3 4:00 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB: |
0.221 |
5/22 7:00 PM |
MLBN | |||
| MLB: Brewers @ Mets |
0.221 |
0.2 |
6/12 7:00 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB: |
0.219 |
0.2 |
5/2 7:00 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB: Royals @ Tigers |
0.218 |
0.2 |
9/9 7:00 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB: |
0.214 |
5/25 1:30 PM |
MLBN | |||
| MLB: Orioles @ Red Sox |
0.213 |
0.2 |
7/5 1:00 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB: Dodgers @ Tigers |
0.213 |
0.2 |
7/9 1:00 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB: Cardinals @ Giants |
0.206 |
0.1 |
7/3 3:30 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB: Mariners @ Rays |
0.205 |
0.2 |
6/9 1:00 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB: Athletics @ Royals (joined in progress) |
0.205 |
0.1 |
8/14 3:45 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB: |
0.201 |
0.2 |
5/10 1:00 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB Network Showcase: |
0.201 |
0.1 |
5/6 7:00 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB: Tigers @ Royals |
0.201 |
0.2 |
7/10 8:00 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB: Brewers @ Cardinals |
0.201 |
0.1 |
8/2 7:00 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB: Yankees @ Tigers |
0.201 |
0.2 |
8/28 1:00 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB: |
0.2 |
0.1 |
4/27 1:30 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB: |
0.197 |
0.1 |
4/10 1:00 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB: Diamondbacks @ Dodgers |
0.197 |
0.1 |
9/5 10:00 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB: |
0.196 |
0.2 |
5/8 10:46 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB: |
0.195 |
0.2 |
5/7 2:43 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB: Rockies @ Nationals |
0.195 |
0.1 |
7/1 7:00 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB: Diamondbacks @ Giants part 1 |
0.193 |
0.1 |
9/10 10:00 PM |
ESPN2 | ||
| MLB: Royals @ Tigers |
0.192 |
0.1 |
9/8 4:30 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB: Pirates @ Braves |
0.192 |
0.1 |
9/22 7:00 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB Network Showcase: Athletics @ Angels |
0.189 |
0.1 |
8/28 10:00 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB: Reds @ Pirates |
0.187 |
0.1 |
0 |
8/30 4:00 PM |
FS1 | |
| MLB: Nationals @ Reds |
0.186 |
7/26 4:00 PM |
FS1 | |||
| MLB: |
0.185 |
0.1 |
4/17 1:00 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB: Athletics @ Mariners (JIP) |
0.184 |
0.1 |
9/13 10:00 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB Network Showcase: Reds @ Cardinals |
0.183 |
0.1 |
8/19 8:00 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB: Yankees @ Orioles |
0.183 |
0.1 |
9/12 1:00 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB: Tigers @ Royals |
0.183 |
9/21 2:00 PM |
TBS | |||
| MLB: |
0.182 |
0.2 |
5/4 1:30 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB: |
0.181 |
0.1 |
4/25 8:00 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB: Cardinals @ Brewers |
0.181 |
0.1 |
9/6 7:00 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB: Giants @ Padres |
0.18 |
0.1 |
9/19 10:00 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB: Dodgers @ Braves |
0.178 |
0.1 |
8/14 12:00 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB: |
0.177 |
0.1 |
4/9 12:00 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB: |
0.175 |
0.2 |
5/2 2:00 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB: Marlins @ Angels |
0.175 |
0.1 |
8/26 10:00 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB: Nationals @ Mets |
0.173 |
0.1 |
8/14 7:00 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB: Rays @ Yankees |
0.173 |
0.1 |
9/11 7:00 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB: |
0.171 |
5/24 12:30 PM |
MLBN | |||
| MLB: Tigers @ Yankees |
0.171 |
0.1 |
8/7 1:00 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB: Athletics @ Braves |
0.17 |
0.1 |
8/15 7:30 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB: |
0.169 |
0.1 |
4/2 1:00 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB: Brewers @ Giants |
0.169 |
0.1 |
8/30 9:00 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB: |
0.166 |
0.1 |
4/18 2:00 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB: |
0.166 |
5/30 8:00 PM |
MLBN | |||
| MLB: |
0.166 |
5/31 12:00 PM |
MLBN | |||
| MLB: |
0.165 |
5/24 10:00 PM |
MLBN | |||
| MLB: |
0.164 |
5/21 2:00 PM |
MLBN | |||
| MLB Network Showcase |
0.163 |
0.1 |
8/8 7:00 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB: |
0.161 |
5/14 1:00 PM |
MLBN | |||
| MLB: Reds @ Cardinals |
0.161 |
0.1 |
8/18 8:00 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB: Phillies @ Athletics |
0.161 |
0.1 |
9/20 4:00 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB: Braves @ Reds |
0.156 |
0.1 |
8/21 7:00 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB: Padres @ Reds |
0.155 |
May 17? | FS1 | |||
| MLB: Dodgers @ Cubs |
0.153 |
0.1 |
9/19 2:00 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB: Tigers @ Twins |
0.151 |
0.1 |
8/23 1:00 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB: Giants @ Diamondbacks |
0.151 |
0.1 |
9/17 3:30 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB: |
0.15 |
0.1 |
4/23 2:00 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB: |
0.146 |
0.1 |
5/8 1:00 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB: White Sox @ Tigers |
0.143 |
0.1 |
9/24 1:00 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB: |
0.141 |
0.1 |
4/13 1:00 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB: |
0.134 |
5/28 1:00 PM |
MLBN | |||
| MLB: |
0.132 |
0.1 |
4/30 1:40 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB: |
0.131 |
0.1 |
5/9 7:00 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB: |
0.131 |
5/31 10:00 PM |
MLBN | |||
| MLB: |
0.13 |
0.1 |
4/16 12:30 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB: Mariners @ Angels |
0.129 |
0.1 |
9/16 10:00 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB: Angels @ Athletics |
0.126 |
0.1 |
9/24 4:00 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB: |
0.125 |
5/20 7:00 PM |
MLBN | |||
| MLB: Angels @ Indians |
0.125 |
0.1 |
9/8 1:00 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB: Rangers @ Angels (JIP) |
0.125 |
0.1 |
9/20 10:00 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB: |
0.124 |
0.1 |
4/3 1:00 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB: Rangers @ Athletics |
0.12 |
0.1 |
9/18 3:30 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB: Braves @ Nationals |
0.119 |
0.1 |
9/10 4:00 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB: Padres @ Giants |
0.116 |
0.1 |
9/27 4:00 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB: Nationals @ Braves |
0.115 |
0.1 |
9/15 7:00 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB: |
0.109 |
5/29 1:00 PM |
MLBN | |||
| MLB: Mariners @ Angels |
0.105 |
0.1 |
9/15 10:00 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB: Padres @ Diamondbacks |
0.104 |
0.1 |
9/13 8:00 PM |
FS1 | ||
| MLB: |
0.102 |
5/22 1:00 PM |
MLBN | |||
| MLB Opening Series from Australia: |
0.099 |
0.1 |
3/22 5:00 AM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB: |
0.096 |
0.1 |
4/24 12:30 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB: Braves @ Nationals |
0.095 |
0.1 |
9/8 7:30 PM |
MLBN | ||
| MLB: Cardinals @ Reds |
0.089 |
0.1 |
9/11 12:30 PM |
MLBN |
Not surprising on some of the bad ratings for baseball. Besides FS1 and other factors, it made finding baseball difficult.
It also doesn’t help that The Millennials often will only watch baseball (based on my experieences) in late night, and in fact, I would have shifted last year’s NLCS games in San Francisco to FOX at 11:30 PM ET just because the late start would be much more likely for The Millennials to watch (and made it clear to those complaining that newer generations want the late starts).
With that in mind, I’d be this year on FOX looking to have a late night game every Saturday, usually at 9:00 PM Pacific/Midnight Eastern. Yes, those games would run to 3:00 AM or later in the east, but those games also would likely see viewership pick up after Saurday Night Live ends (in the Eastern and Central Time Zones) at 1:00 AM ET. The newer generations have clearly shown they are more likely to watch sports in late night and that’s why I would make this move.
Oh dear God, I thought @HoopsandHorses was joking when he sent me that idea on Twitter earlier today before I saw this comment! I’m calling a solid [citation needed] on the notion that “the newer generations have clearly shown they are more likely to watch sports in late night”; “based on your experiences” sounds like anecdotal evidence to me, but even if it were true (and even if it wasn’t attributable to West Coast teams being more popular, or having less competition from other sports), the “newer generations” the complainers like to talk about are actually even younger than you have in mind – kids who CAN’T stay up that late to watch a baseball game.
Well it’s true. I have seen first hand over the past few years younger generations who are WAY more inclined that previous generations to be up all night, and those are the ones advertisers care about.
The rules have been RAPIDLY changing in recent years and in fact, I would not be surprised if as early as the next TV contracts the NFL moved up Sunday Night Football on NBC to an 8:10 PM ET kickoff so they can add an additional window at 11:45 PM ET or so (most likely if that happened on NFL Network OR with SNF becoming a doubleheader split between NBC and NFL Network OR NBC and NBCSN) as the Millenials would actually be more likely to see that game than the afternoon games (again, based on what I have seen in just the last year or two).
It seems ridiculous on the surface, but we have never had a generation re-write the rules as rapidly as the Millenials have and will continue to do.
Again, I need more than anecdotal evidence – I need more than “seeing first hand”, I need actual data. And by the way, I’m a member of the generation you’re talking about.
Any data that correlates length of game and viewership? It would seem obvious to me that viewership declines when games drag on too long (you know how us impatient millenials can be), but like you I would want to see hard data.
Thanks