The first five games of Dodgers-Rays generated the five lowest World Series ratings on record, bottoming out in Game 3.
Friday’s Game 3 of the World Series (Dodgers-Rays) averaged a 4.3 rating and 8.16 million viewers, marking the lowest rated and least-watched World Series game ever. The previous lows were a 5.0 and 8.95 million in Game 2. The Dodgers’ win was the first-ever World Series game to average less than a 5.0 rating.
Ratings fell a series-high 39% and viewership 33% from last year (Astros-Nationals: 7.1, 12.22M) and 46% and 38% respectively from 2018 (Red Sox-Dodgers: 7.9, 13.56M).
The numbers rebounded a bit over the weekend. Saturday’s thrilling Game 4 averaged a 4.8 and 9.33 million, ranking as the second-lowest rated World Series game ever, but also the most-watched game of the series to that point. Sunday’s Game 5 averaged series-highs of 5.3 and 10.06 million, becoming the first non-NFL sporting event since January to cross the ten million threshold.
MLB now accounts for five of the eight largest (non-NFL) sports audiences since the College Football Playoff in January and three of the top four.
Both games posted relatively modest declines. Ratings fell 19% and viewership 9% in Game 4 (from 5.9, 10.21M) and 18% and 12% respectively in Game 5 (from 6.5, 11.39M). The declines were still quite steep compared to two years ago, with Game 4 down 39% in ratings and 31% in viewership (from 7.9, 13.56M) and Game 5 down 47% and 43% respectively from a title-clincher that had an NFL lead-in (10.0, 17.63M).
To be clear, both Saturday and Sunday’s games still rank among the least-watched in World Series history. The first five games account for the five lowest World Series ratings ever and five of the six smallest audiences. It is only in the anomalous context of 2020 — a year of record-low ratings across the sports industry — that those numbers would not constitute a ratings disaster.
Sunday’s Game 5 was routed by the competing Seahawks-Cardinals Sunday Night Football game, but not as badly as last year. SNF won the head-to-head by 49% in ratings (7.9 to 5.3), 42% in viewership (14.31M to 10.06M), 65% in adults 18-49 (4.3 to 2.6), 71% in 25-54 (5.3 to 3.1) and 72% in 18-34 (3.1 to 1.8), each slimmer margins than last year (60, 61, 100, 109 and 111 percent, respectively).
Game 5 was the highest rated and most-watched sporting event versus SNF this fall, topping the previous week’s NLCS Game 7 (5.2, 9.66M) and Games 3 and 6 of the NBA Finals (3.1, 5.99M; 4.2, 8.37M). It was a different story in the key adult demographics, where Game 5 was lower in all three demos than Game 6 of the NBA Finals (3.3 in 18-49, 2.9 in 18-34, and 3.4 in 25-54) and Game 7 of the NLCS (2.9; 2.2; 3.2). It even trailed the record-low Game 3 of the Finals in 18-34 (2.0 to 1.8).
Game 4 averaged a 1.7 in 18-34, 2.3 in 18-49 and 2.8 in 25-54. Game 3 set all-time lows for a World Series game in 18-49 (2.0) and almost certainly did so in 18-34 (1.5) and 25-54 (2.4) as well.
Lowest rated World Series games
This year’s games highlighted
Lowest rated | Least-watched | ||||||
# | Year | Game | Rtg | # | Year | Game | Vwrs |
1 | 2020 | LAD-TB Gm. 3 | 4.3 | 1 | 2020 | LAD-TB Gm. 3 | 8.16M |
2 | 2020 | LAD-TB Gm. 4 | 4.8 | 2 | 2020 | TB-LAD Gm. 2 | 8.95M |
3 | 2020 | TB-LAD Gm. 2 | 5.0 | 3 | 2020 | TB-LAD Gm. 1 | 9.20M |
4 | 2020 | TB-LAD Gm. 1 | 5.1 | 4 | 2020 | LAD-TB Gm. 4 | 9.33M |
5 | 2020 | LAD-TB Gm. 5 | 5.3 | 5 | 2008 | TB-PHI Gm. 3 | 9.84M |
6 | 2019 | HOU-WSH Gm. 4 | 5.9 | 6 | 2020 | LAD-TB Gm. 5 | 10.06M |
7 | 2008 | TB-PHI Gm. 3 | 6.1 | 7 | 2019 | HOU-WSH Gm. 4 | 10.21M |
8 | 2012 | SF-DET Gm. 3 | 6.1 | 8 | 2012 | SF-DET Gm. 3 | 10.47M |
9 | 2014 | KC-SF Gm. 4 | 6.3 | 9 | 2014 | KC-SF Gm. 4 | 10.74M |
10 | 2019 | HOU-WSH Gm. 5 | 6.5 | 10 | 2011 | STL-TEX Gm. 3 | 11.25M |
[Nielsen estimates from ShowBuzz Daily 10.27 a, b, c; 10.26]
Game 3 is often the lowest of a series (nba too). Then it starts to rebound on 4 and increases the rest of the series. It’s a pattern you see over and over. Why was everyone acting like the low in game 3 (for both nba and mlb finals) was some shocking new low? It should gave been assumed as soon as the game 1 ratings came in.
The Sunday numbers are ok considering the current climate, Up against SNF and no lead in from the NFL. I still think TB is keeping the numbers low. No fan base, no history, no big names. Probably the least popular team outside of the Marlins. I think could count about a million fans lost a night due to lack of interest in TB.
But Fox got lucky with at least a 6 game series. I think they can have decent numbers tonight. The series has been competitive and has had some drama. No competition from NFL or any debates. Can MLB reach 15 million viewers tonight? Is it possible?
Without question record low WS ever, but can end on a positive note.
Going forward, I don’t see it being an issue if the NFL allows FOX to have a lead-in to a World Series going forward. I’m sure if it was the case then they could’ve reached more than 12 million viewers which is very impressive for a 2020 year following the packages it has provided. Game 6 and possibly 7 will be interesting to see where it will be reached. At this point, I believe everyone that is smart knows it will be the lowest rating series ever. As far as how the MLB can correct that and have a optimistic/hopeful future ought to be discussed at the conclusion of the series. For now, I am curious on if Game 6 overachieves by having 13.5-14 million viewers and rather a Game 7 could reach 18 million. Both again will be the lowest in WS history, but at least there’s some drama and curiosity to see where it can reach. Was hoping the NBA would have that opportunity, but their only hope was for the Lakers to be seriously threatened.
Back on the NFL lead-in, my thoughts on this is how much influence does the network(s) has on these decisions. The schedule came out way back in May (typically it’s in April, but 2020 is different) so I’m sure FOX wasn’t prepared in knowing if a 2020 MLB season would resume and exist and rather the postseason would take place the entire month of October. However, in years past I’m sure they had a clear vision on what to expect the MLB postseason schedule to look like and now that it’s been consistent (thanks to TNF moving to broadcast), there shouldn’t be any excuses on FOX end to make that happen. I’ll give them a pass this year, but going forward they will be held accountable on that.