The most watched World Series game since Game 4 in 2004 saw a total audience of 25.4 million people. That is upper echelon NFL-like numbers. Fox saw a rating of 14.7 and a 25 share for Game 7 of the 2011 World Series between Texas and St. Louis which is again NFL-like. In 2004, Game 4 which saw the Boston Red Sox break an 86 year drought over the Cardinals drew an 18.2/28 and 28.8 million viewers.
Needless to say, the game won the primetime ratings for Fox rather handily over weak competition on the other networks.
The seven game series averaged 10.0/16 with 16.6 million viewers, up 19% from 2010.
Locally, St. Louis had an absolutely staggering 52.7/80 for Game 7, meaning 80% of all homes in the market were watching baseball. Dallas saw 40.3/61.
We have Fox’s press release and right after that, I’ll post MLB’s official release on the numbers.
A FALL CLASSIC
25.4 Million Viewers Watch Amazing Comeback Cardinals Capture 11th World Series Crown
Game 7 Is Highest-Rated, Most-Watched World Series Game Since 2004
2011 World Series Ratings Up +19%Throughout history, there have been many reasons why the World Series has become known as “The Fall Classic.” Today, you can add 25.4 million more.
Game 7 of the 2011 World Series posted a 14.7/25 household rating/share with 25.4 million viewers and is the highest-rated, most-watched game since 2004 when the Boston Red Sox ended their historic World Series drought with a massive 18.2/28 and 28.8 million viewers.
Just as impressive, Game 7 is the single highest-rated Friday night program in FOX history and stands as the highest-rated and most-watched Friday night program of any kind on any network since the Opening Ceremony of the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympic Games on NBC.
FOX averaged a 14.5 household rating and 25 million viewers between 8 and 11 PM ET to earn the network its highest-rated and most-watched Friday night ever. In addition, Game 7 also produced the highest-rated, most-watched night on any network this broadcast season and FOX’s best prime time night since the American Idol finale in May.
The World Series remains an annual force in prime time. Game 7’s dominating performance (14.5) also powered FOX to first place finishes in prime time six out of 7 nights the 2011 “Fall Classic” was broadcast. Since 1996 when FOX began airing World Series games, the network has won 64 out of 75 prime time nights, an incredible 85% performance.
The complete 2011 World Series on FOX averaged a 10.0/16 national household rating/share and 16.6 million viewers, up an impressive +19% over last year’s 8.4/14 (14.3 million viewers).
The demographic story is just as impressive as the 2011 World Series posted year-to-year double-digit increases across all key male and adult categories: Men 12-17 (3.0 vs. 2.3, +30%); Men 18-34 (5.2 vs. 4.2, +24%), Men 18-49 (6.1 vs. 5.2, +17%); Men 25-54 (7.3 vs. 6.3, +16%); Adults 18-34 (4.2 vs. 3.3, +27%); Adults 18-49 (4.9 vs. 4.0, +23%); and Adults 25-54 (5.8 vs. 4.8, +21%).
Last night’s Game 7 broadcast opened with a 10.5 (17.9 million viewers) at 8:00 PM ET and grew steadily throughout the broadcast growing to a 14.2 (24.7 million viewers) at 9:00 PM ET, 16.1 (27.9 million viewers) at 10:00 PM ET, peaking at a 17.1 (29.7 million viewers) at 11:00 PM ET.
St. Louis led all markets with a sensational 52.7/80, peaking at a staggering 62.4/89 in the final quarter hour as David Murphy’s fly ball to left landed in Allen Craig’s glove sealing the Cardinals 11th World Series Championship. Dallas averaged a 40.3/61 for the night.
For the complete seven-game series, St. Louis averaged an amazing 47.2/67 while Dallas averaged a 38.0/57, up +22% over the 31.1/49 for last year’s five-game average.
Here’s MLB’s press release which is a bit shorter but touts the numbers and Fox’s ratings. One thing to add, the game gave Fox its best Friday night ratings in the history of the network and is the highest network Friday night ratings since the Opening Ceremony of the 2010 Winter Olympics on NBC.
GAME 7 OF 2011 WORLD SERIES ATTRACTS MORE THAN 25 MILLION VIEWERS
GAME 7 IS MOST WATCHED BASEBALL GAME SINCE RED SOX ERASED 86 YEAR DROUGHT IN 2004World Series Delivers Best Friday Night in FOX History
Ratings for 2011 World Series Increase +19% Over Last Year
Game 7 of the 2011 World Series, which saw the St. Louis Cardinals win their 11th World Series title, averaged 25.4 million viewers on FOX. That figure makes it the most watched baseball game since 2004 when the Boston Red Sox won the World Series erasing a drought of 86 years. Except for the historic 2004 World Series, Game 7 drew the most viewers of any baseball game since Game 7 of the 2002 World Series.
The World Series was a huge success for FOX delivering the best Friday night in the history of the network. Game 7 was the highest rated and most watched Friday night telecast on any network since the 2010 Winter Olympics and easily gave FOX its sixth primetime win in seven nights. It was also the highest rated night of primetime on any network since the start of the 2011-12 broadcast season.
The 14.7 U.S. household rating for Game 7 brings the 2011 World Series average rating to 10.0, which is +19% higher than last year’s World Series, featuring the same American League team and a National League team (San Francisco Giants) with twice the number of TV households as compared to St. Louis.
The 2011 Cardinals, who were 10.5 games out of first place in late August and were twice down to their last strike in Game 6, captured the imagination of St. Louis resulting in a 52.7 rating in the market, which was higher than any of their previous marks in the 2004 or 2006 World Series. When the Cardinals won the World Series, 89% of households in St. Louis that had their televisions on were tuned in to see the game.
Back-to-back runs to the World Series by the Rangers have resulted in more local interest in the team. The 2011 World Series averaged a 38.0 rating in Dallas/Ft. Worth which is +22% from last year’s average of 31.1.
That puts a wrap on the World Series.
