BREAKING: Major League Baseball (MLB) has just announced that its postseason viewership is experiencing a dramatic surge, reaching the highest levels since 2010. With an average of 4.33 million viewers through the division series, this marks a stunning 30% increase over last year’s ratings, according to data from MLB and Nielsen.
In a gripping showcase of talent, last Friday’s 15-inning thriller between the Seattle Mariners and the Detroit Tigers captivated audiences, averaging 8.72 million viewers across Fox, Fox Deportes, and streaming platforms. This showdown, which saw the Mariners clinch a 3-2 victory in the fifth and deciding game of the American League (AL) Division Series, has become the most-watched division game on Fox since 2011, when a similar matchup drew 9.72 million viewers.
The excitement doesn’t stop there. The two AL Division Series games broadcasted on Fox, FS1, and FS2 averaged 4.15 million viewers, making it the most-watched division round on any network since the National League (NL) Division Series aired on TBS. Notably, the series between the Toronto Blue Jays and the New York Yankees, which concluded with a Blue Jays victory in four games, averaged 7.65 million viewers in both the U.S. and Canada.
All four division series in the U.S. are averaging 4.17 million viewers, a remarkable figure not seen since 2011, and representing a 17% increase from last year. In Canada, the Blue Jays’ division series games attracted 3.65 million viewers, a 10% rise from the team’s last ALDS appearance in 2016.
As the postseason progresses, the first game of the AL Championship Series between the Mariners and Blue Jays aired on Sunday, drawing an impressive 5.31 million viewers on Fox. This marks a 32% increase over last year’s corresponding Game 1 of the ALCS, which featured the Cleveland Guardians and the New York Yankees.
The surge in viewership highlights the growing excitement and engagement surrounding MLB’s postseason, demonstrating a revitalized interest in baseball across North America. Fans are eagerly tuning in, marking this October as not just a series of games, but a celebration of the sport.
With the playoffs heating up, all eyes will be on the upcoming games as fans anticipate even more thrilling matchups. Stay tuned for further updates as the postseason unfolds, and brace for what promises to be an exhilarating conclusion to the 2023 MLB season.
