FOX set multiple record lows for Game 1 of the 2012 World Series Wednesday night.
Game 1 of the Tigers/Giants World Series drew a 7.6 final rating and 12.2 million viewers on FOX, according to Nielsen fast-nationals — down 13% in ratings and 14% in viewership from Rangers/Cardinals Game 1 last year (8.7, 14.174M), and down 15% and 18%, respectively, from Rangers/Giants Game 1 in 2010 (8.9, 15.009M).
Wednesday’s game ranks as the lowest rated and least-viewed Game 1 of any World Series. The previous lows were an 8.0 and 12.840 million for Cardinals/Tigers Game 1 on a Saturday night in 2006.
The game also stands as the lowest rated and least-viewed World Series game that did not take place on a Saturday night. The previous lows were an 8.1 and 12.777 million viewers for Phillies/Rays Game 2 in 2008.
Overall, Game 1 ranks as the fourth-lowest rated and fourth-least viewed World Series game of all-time. Since the current scheduling format began in 2007, Game 1 has never been the lowest rated game of the World Series, meaning more record lows could be on the way.
The record-low performance can at least be partially attributed the uncompetitive nature of the game. In a Thursday press release, FOX noted that the Game 1 rating was actually trending above last year at 9 PM ET (8.8 to 8.7). The conclusion of the game, however, trailed last year by a wide margin (9.3 to 7.7).
Among adults 18-49, Game 1 drew a 3.6 rating — down 14% from last year (4.2), and down 23% from 2010 (4.7). The 3.6 is tied as the lowest Game 1 rating in the demo of at least the past ten years (demo ratings prior to 2002 were not consistently available).
Tigers/Giants ranked as the #2 program of the night on television in adults 18-49 and P2+ viewership. ABC’s “Modern Family” ranked as the top program of the night in both measures (12.5M, 4.9 A18-49).
Final Ratings/Viewership For Game 1 of the World Series
Past decade
| Year | Date | Away | Home | Net | Rating | Viewers (000) | A18-49 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Wed., 10/24/12 | Tigers | Giants | FOX |
7.6
|
12,240
|
3.6
|
| 2011 | Wed., 10/19/11 | Rangers | Cardinals | FOX |
8.7
|
14,174
|
4.2
|
| 2010 | Wed., 10/27/10 | Rangers | Giants | FOX |
8.9
|
15,009
|
4.7
|
| 2009 | Wed., 10/28/09 | Phillies | Yankees | FOX |
11.9
|
19,511
|
6.3
|
| 2008 | Wed., 10/22/08 | Phillies | Rays | FOX |
9.2
|
14,634
|
4.8
|
| 2007 | Wed., 10/24/07 | Rockies | Red Sox | FOX |
10.5
|
16,897
|
5.8
|
| 2006 | Sat., 10/21/06 | Cardinals | Tigers | FOX |
8.0
|
12,840
|
3.6
|
| 2005 | Sat., 10/22/05 | Astros | White Sox | FOX |
9.5
|
15,015
|
4.6
|
| 2004 | Sat., 10/23/04 | Cardinals | Red Sox | FOX |
13.7
|
23,168
|
8.0
|
| 2003 | Sat., 10/18/03 | Marlins | Yankees | FOX |
10.9
|
17,687
|
6.0
|
| 2002 | Sat., 10/19/02 | Giants | Angels | FOX |
9.4
|
15,457
|
5.0
|
CORRECTION 10/26/12: Game 1 was the fourth-lowest rated and fourth-least viewed World Series game ever, not the third.
(Wednesday’s numbers from Fox Sports press release via Fang’s Bites, with additional information from TV By the Numbers)
