With the Yankees appearing on FOX for the first time this season, overnight ratings were better — but still poor — for the network’s MLB coverage.
Regional MLB action on FOX earned a 1.6 overnight rating Saturday night, down 27% from last year (2.2), and down 39% from 2012 (2.6). The 1.6 ranks as the third-lowest overnight ever for primetime MLB on broadcast TV, topping only the previous two weeks (1.2 on May 24 and 1.4 on May 31).
The 1.6 overnight does mark an uptick over the third FOX telecast of last season, an afternoon window on April 20 (1.5).
Saturday’s telecast featured an ALCS rematch between the Red Sox and Tigers, with other markets getting either Yankees/Royals or A’s/Orioles. It was the first telecast of the season to include the Yankees and the second straight to feature the Red Sox.
Head-to-head, MLB on FOX was trounced head-to-head by Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final on NBC (4.6). Last year’s telecast featured less potent competition from Game 5 of the NHL Western Conference Finals (2.9).
(Sat. overnight from Sports Business Daily)
