Even with the Red Sox involved, Game 1 of the World Series did not do very well on FOX.
Game 1 of the Cardinals/Red Sox World Series drew a 9.4 overnight rating on FOX Wednesday night, up 7% from Tigers/Giants Game 1 last year (8.8), but down 2% from Rangers/Cardinals Game 1 in 2011 (9.6).
The 9.4 overnight is the third-lowest ever for Game 1 of the World Series, ahead of only last year and Cardinals/Tigers Game 1 in 2006 (8.6). Excluding Saturday night games, the 9.4 is the fourth-lowest for any World Series game — ahead of only Games 1 and 2 of Tigers/Giants last year (8.8) and Phillies/Rays Game 2 in 2008 (9.2).
Cardinals/Red Sox Game 1 trailed the opener of Rangers/Cardinals in 2011 (9.6), and was a full point lower than Game 1 of Rangers/Giants in 2010 (10.4).
The last time the Red Sox played in the World Series (2007), Game 1 against the Rockies drew an 11.8 overnight. The last time the Red Sox played the Cardinals (2004) — a series inflated by the ‘curse’ — Game 1 drew a 15.2 overnight.
The Red Sox’ easy win likely had something to do with the lower numbers. According to Major League Baseball, the Game 1 overnight peaked with an 11.2 in the second inning. Last year’s Game 1 — also a blowout — peaked at a 9.7, and Game 1 in 2011 peaked at a 10.9.
The 11.2 is the highest peak rating for Game 1 of the World Series since Rangers/Giants in 2010, which topped out at a 11.9.
Of note, Wednesday’s Game 1 had a lower overnight rating than the much-maligned Vikings/Giants “Monday Night Football” game (9.5).
(Game 1 overnight from MLB_PR verified Twitter account)
