They may not have made the playoffs, but the Cardinals averaged the highest local television ratings in Major League Baseball during the 2010 season.
Cardinals games averaged a 9.50 rating on Fox Sports Midwest during the regular season, according to Sports Business Journal, up 19% from last year (7.97), and the highest average rating in Major League Baseball.
The Cardinals not only topped Major League Baseball, but also averaged a higher rating than any NBA or NHL team during their respective 2009-10 seasons. The Twins (8.77) also hold that distinction.
During each of the six previous seasons, the Red Sox led MLB in average television ratings. This year, the team finished out of the top five with a 5.87 average on NESN — down 38% from last year.
Including the Cardinals (#21 TV market), mid-market teams drew four of the five largest average ratings. The aforementioned Twins (#15) ranked second with an 8.77 average on FS North, the Reds (#33) ranked fourth with a 7.47 on FS Ohio, and the Rays (#14) ranked fifth with a 5.99 on Sun Sports and FS Florida.
The Phillies were the only team from a top ten market in the top five, averaging an 8.30 on Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia.
The Athletics averaged the lowest rating of the season, with a 1.16 on Comcast SportsNet California. That said, the A’s also had one of the year’s largest increases in ratings, as the 1.16 marked a 49% rise from last year.
The Nationals had the largest increase in baseball (up 136%), followed by the Reds (95%), Rays (77%), A’s, and Padres (41%).
