The College World Series finals drew solid numbers on ESPN.
The three-game series between LSU and Texas averaged a 1.8 U.S. rating and 2.8 million viewers on ESPN, up 20% in ratings and 26% in viewers from a 1.5 and 2.2 million last year, and the most-viewed College World Series final since the event expanded to a best-of-three series in ’03.
The deciding Game 3 drew a 2.0 U.S. rating and 3.2 million viewers, up 18% in ratings from a 1.7 for last year’s Fresno State/Georgia Game 3, and the most-viewed College World Series telecast ever on ESPN. Overall, LSU/Texas accounts for three of the four most-viewed CWS telecasts ever on ESPN.
To put the numbers in perspective, the 1.8 for LSU/Texas on ESPN matched the ratings of the Stanley Cup Finals on Versus and Sunday Night Baseball on ESPN (through May 24).
The entire 2009 College World Series averaged a 1.3 U.S. rating and 1.9 million viewers on ESPN, up 30% and 37%, respectively, from last year’s 1.0 and 1.4 million. ESPN2 averaged a 0.7 U.S. rating and 1 million viewers for its coverage, flat in ratings but up 6% in viewers from ’08.
Ratings for the College World Series finals.
U.S. rating presented, with cable rating in parentheses ()
| Date | Game | Rating | Viewers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mon., 6/22/09 | LSU/Texas Game 1 | 1.7 (1.9) |
2.5 mil
|
| Tue., 6/23/09 | LSU/Texas Game 2 | 1.7 (2.0) |
2.6 mil
|
| Wed., 6/24/09 | LSU/Texas Game 3 | 2.0 (2.3) |
3.2 mil
|
|
Average
|
1.8 (2.1)
|
2.8 mil
|
|
