Both Fox and TBS are hoping to have long series to gain interest in the MLB Postseason because based on the Game 1 overnight ratings, viewers need something to get hooked. Yes, the Yankees and Phillies, two teams from big markets in the Northeast are out, but with Detroit and Dallas are large markets. However, St. Louis and Milwaukee are smaller markets, yet the Cardinals have a big following in the Midwest. No matter, the ratings for the opening games of the American and National League Championship Series turn out to be the worst Game 1 LCS numbers ever for both Fox and TBS.
For Fox, the Game 1 overnight rating for Detroit-Texas turned out to be down significantly from last year’s Game 1 of the NLCS which Fox carried and even further down from 2009 when the network had Anaheim-Yankees. On Saturday, Fox received a 3.9 for the game which was marred by two extensive rain delays.
TBS fared even worse for Game 1 of the National League Championship Series which went up against the NFL on CBS’ late game. TBS saw a 2.4 overnight rating down more than 60% from last year’s Yankees-Rangers series.
And we have some more figures from TV Sports Ratings, a Twitter account owned by someone who could be an insider at a TV network.
First, the Fox 18-49 numbers for Game 1 of the ALCS (an error lists 18-39) which have to be quite discouraging for the network.
[blackbirdpie url=”https://twitter.com/#!/tvsportsratings/statuses/123765027848208384″]
Next, the TBS 18-49 numbers for the NLCS.
[blackbirdpie url=”https://twitter.com/#!/tvsportsratings/statuses/123773990572523520″]
TV Sports Ratings lists what cable programs did better than NLCS Game 1.
[blackbirdpie url=”https://twitter.com/#!/tvsportsratings/statuses/123775689961914369″]
By comparison, the NFL on CBS received a 15.6 overnight rating for its 4:15 p.m. national late window for mostly New York Jets-New England Patriots.
