Major League Baseball's postseason is off to a strong start this year, with an average of 3.33 million viewers tuning in for the games leading up to the League Championship Series. This marks an impressive 18% increase from last year's average of 2.82 million viewers, showcasing the growing popularity of the sport.
The Division Series, which consisted of 18 games, also saw a significant uptick in viewership, averaging 3.56 million viewers. This represents a 14% increase from the previous year, indicating a heightened interest in the matchups.
The spike in ratings during the division round can be attributed to several factors, including two series that went the full distance and the participation of high-profile teams such as the New York teams, the Los Angeles Dodgers, and the Philadelphia Phillies.
Notable games during the Division Series included Friday night's NLDS Game 5 between the Dodgers and San Diego Padres, which drew an impressive 7.5 million viewers across Fox, Fox Deportes, and streaming platforms. This marked the most-watched Division Series game since 2017, underscoring the excitement surrounding the matchup.
Another standout game was Saturday afternoon's deciding game between the Cleveland Guardians and Detroit Tigers, which attracted 3.42 million viewers on TBS. This game, originally scheduled for the evening, was moved to the afternoon due to weather concerns, yet still managed to captivate audiences and become the most-watched Division Series matchup in a day-game window in 17 years.
Television networks Fox and FS1 also saw a surge in viewership, averaging 4.09 million for the National League games, their highest numbers since postseason baseball began airing on FS1 in 2014. The Phillies-Mets series, in particular, contributed to this success, with the Mets advancing in four games.
Additionally, TNT Sports garnered an average of 3 million viewers for the ALDS series games on TBS and TNT. The series between the Yankees and Kansas City, which ended in four games, also drew significant interest from fans.
Overall, the strong viewership numbers during the MLB postseason reflect the enduring appeal of the sport and the excitement generated by the thrilling matchups and performances on the field.
