Sans Yankees, ratings are down for the 2008 MLB postseason.
Game 1 of each series was down compared to the comparable game last year. The Dodgers/Cubs opener Wednesday evening drew 5.4 million viewers, off 2% from the 5.5 million viewers Angels/Red Sox Game 1 drew in the comparable timeslot in ’07.
This year’s Red Sox/Angels series drew 4.4 million viewers for Game 1 Wednesday night, down 14% from the 5.1 million viewers the comparable Cubs/Diamondbacks game drew last year.
Brewers/Phillies Game 1 finished with 2.8 million viewers on Wednesday afternoon, off 13% from 3.2 million for Rockies/Phillies last year. Finally, White Sox/Rays Game 1 drew 2.6 million on Thursday afternoon, down 21% from the 3.3 million for the game in the comparable timeslot last year, Rockies/Phillies Game 2.
Joe Biden and Sarah Palin seem to have had a major effect on the ratings Thursday night. Dodgers/Cubs Game 1 drew a 2.2/6 rating among adults 18-49 on Wednesday. Thursday’s Game 2, despite airing in a later timeslot, drew only a 1.5/3 in the demo.
Overall, “[t]he most up-to-the-minute national ratings show the Division Series averaging a 2.9 rating“, according to the Dallas Morning News‘ Barry Horn.
Viewership for 2008 MLB postseason.
Game 1s only; from TVbytheNumbers.com
2.8 mil: Brewers/Phillies Game 1 (Wed., 10/1, 3 PM TBS); down 13% from COL/PHI in ’07.
5.4 mil: Dodgers/Cubs Game 1 (Wed., 10/1, 6:30 PM TBS); down 2% from LAAofA/BOS in ’07.
4.4 mil: Red Sox/Angels Game 1 (Wed., 10/1, 10 PM TBS); down 14% from CHI/ARZ in ’07.
2.6 mil: White Sox/Rays Game 1 (Thu., 10/2, 2:30 PM TBS); down 21% from COL/PHI in ’07.
