After solid numbers for Game 1, the second game of the World Series slid into mediocre territory on FOX.
Game 2 of the Cardinals/Red Sox World Series drew an 8.3 final rating and 13.4 million viewers on FOX Thursday night — up 6% in ratings and 9% in viewership from Tigers/Giants Game 2 last year (7.8, 12.3M), but down 7% and 6%, respectively, from Rangers/Cardinals Game 2 in 2011 (8.9, 14.3M).
Thursday’s game earned the third-lowest rating and viewership ever for a Game 2 of the World Series, ahead of only last year and Phillies/Rays in 2008 (8.1, 12.8M).
Overall, Cardinals/Red Sox Game 2 ranks among the ten lowest rated and least-viewed World Series games of all-time, settling in 9th place behind three games of Tigers/Giants last year, two of Phillies/Rays in 2008, and one each from Cardinals/Rangers in 2011, Giants/Rangers in 2010, and Cardinals/Tigers in 2006.
Excluding Saturday night games, Thursday’s Game 2 ranks as the fourth-lowest rated and least-viewed World Series game ever.
Among adults 18-49, Game 2 drew a mere 3.6 rating — up only a tick from last year (3.5), and down 10% from 2011 (4.0). In viewership and the adults 18-49 demo, the game was second for the night to “The Big Bang Theory” on CBS (17.0M, 5.2 A18-49).
The last time the Red Sox played in the World Series (2007), Game 2 against the Rockies drew an 11.1 rating, 17.0 million viewers, and a 5.3 among adults 18-49. The last time Red Sox and Cardinals played each other in the series (2004), Game 2 drew a 15.9 rating, 25.5 million viewers, and a 9.0 in the demo.
Not only was Game 2 low historically, it was also soft compared to Wednesday’s series opener — dropping by 4% in ratings (8.6 to 8.3), 7% in viewership (14.4M to 13.4M) and 14% among adults 18-49 (4.2 to 3.6). Keep in mind Game 1 was a blowout, while Game 2 was a relatively tight affair.
Through two games, the World Series has averaged an 8.5 rating and 13.9 million viewers on FOX — up 10% in ratings and 13% in viewership from last year (7.7, 12.3M), but down 3% and 2%, respectively, from 2011 (8.8, 14.2M).
Amazingly, given the presence of the Red Sox, this year’s series ranks as the second-lowest rated and third-least viewed ever through two games.
Lowest Rated World Series Through Two Games
| # | Year | Series | Net | Rating | Viewers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2012 | Giants 2, Tigers 0 | FOX |
7.7
|
12.3M
|
| 2 | 2013 | Cardinals 1, Red Sox 1 | FOX |
8.5
|
13.9M
|
| 3 | 2008 | Rays 1, Phillies 1 | FOX |
8.6
|
13.8M
|
| 4 | 2010 | Giants 2, Rangers 0 | FOX |
8.7
|
14.6M
|
| 5 | 2011 | Rangers 1, Cardinals 1 | FOX |
8.8
|
14.2M
|
(Thu. numbers from Fox Sports, The Futon Critic)
