World Series TV Viewership Beats Expectations After Strong Start

A Strong Viewership Start

The Milwaukee Brewers beat the Tampa Bay Rays 3-2 in Game 1 last Friday. That broadcast averaged 12.26 million viewers across Fox, Fox Deportes, Fox One streaming, the Fox Sports app and Univision.

In Game 2, Milwaukee took a 5-4 victory and drew an average audience of 10.85 million people without Univision coverage. Both games were the most watched television broadcasts of the night.

Overall viewership for the first two games is down just 6% compared to Games 1 and 2 from last year between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays.

Surpassing Early Predictions

Many people expected very low ratings because both finalists represent smaller markets. Some expected the numbers to rival the 2023 series between the Texas Rangers and Arizona Diamondbacks. That series was the least watched on record with a 9.11 million average, and Game 2 set a record low at 8.15 million.

Mike Mulvihill, the Fox Sports president for insight and analytics, admitted he was surprised by the current figures. He said very few people would have guessed the drop would be only 6% through two games, adding that executives are really satisfied with the results.

Factors Behind the Audience Numbers

Several reasons explain why the ratings have held up. Milwaukee has a steady fan base in the Midwest and has been a regular contender over the past few seasons. This series also features the two teams with the best records in baseball this year.

Mulvihill mentioned that having a traditional Midwest team helps build interest. He also noted that Milwaukee beating the two-time defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers in convincing fashion helped attract viewers.

Concerns Heading Into Game Three

The Fox only average for the first two games stands at 11.05 million viewers. However, the network may be waiting anxiously for the ratings from Monday's Game 3.

Milwaukee won Game 3 in a 10-1 blowout, which usually leads to lower late game viewing. The game also faced heavy competition from American football, with the Dallas Cowboys playing the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday Night Football.