Overnight ratings dropped double digits for Game 1 of the World Series on FOX.
The Philadelphia Phillies’ 3-2 win over the Tampa Bay Rays drew a 10.3/17 overnight rating on FOX Wednesday night, down 13% from an 11.8 for Game 1 between the Red Sox and Rockies a year ago, and one of the lowest overnight ratings ever for a World Series game that did not take place on a Saturday night.
The 10.3 overnight is up 20% from an 8.6/15 for Game 1 of the 2006 World Series, currently the lowest rated ever. However, Game 1 of that series aired on a Saturday night, the lowest rated night of the week.
Game 1 will likely finish as the lowest rated World Series game ever to not take place on a Saturday night, and only the fifth World Series game in history to finish with a final rating below 10.0. In three of the previous four years, the final rating for Game 1 of the World Series fell at least 10% from the overnight rating. That would put the final rating for Game 1 in the low-to-mid 9.0 range.
To put the 10.3 in perspective, the first nine innings of July’s MLB All Star Game drew an 11.0/18 overnight rating. Compared to other sports, the 10.3 for Game 1 is behind a 10.4 for Game 1 of the NBA Finals in June and a 10.5 for The Belmont Stakes, but ahead of the 8.9 overnight for the final round of The Masters in April.
In prime time (8:30-11 PM), Game 1 drew a 9.4/17 overnight rating, with a peak rating of 10.9/17 during the 10 PM half hour. FOX won the night in prime time in households, total viewers (13.5 million) and among adults 18-49 (4.3/11). The game did not conclude until approximately 12 AM ET.
Overnight ratings for Game 1 of the World Series.
10.3: Phillies/Rays (Wed., 10/22, 8 PM FOX)
11.8: Rockies/Red Sox (Wed., 10/24, 8 PM FOX); final rating fell 11%.
8.6: Cardinals/Tigers (Sat., 10/21, 8 PM FOX); final rating fell 7%.
11.4: Astros/White Sox (Sat., 10/22, 8 PM FOX); final rating fell 17%.
15.2: Cardinals/Red Sox (Sat., 10/23, 8 PM FOX); final rating fell 10%.
