The tough times continued for MLB on FOX last weekend, albeit opposite major competition.
Regional MLB action on FOX earned a 1.4 final rating and 2.2 million viewers on FOX last Saturday, down 26% in ratings and 30% in viewership from last year (1.9, 3.1M) and the third-lowest rated primetime MLB window ever on broadcast TV.
The two lowest rated telecasts aired in the previous two weeks (1.2 for coverage on May 24 and May 31). In other words, Saturday’s 1.4 rating represented a season-high.
Compared to the third MLB telecast on FOX last season — afternoon coverage on April 20 — ratings and viewership actually increased by 8% and 16%, respectively.
Saturday’s coverage faced competition from the end of The Belmont Stakes and Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final (3.7, 6.4M). This Saturday will mark the first time all season that MLB on FOX has avoided competition from the NBA or NHL playoffs, though coverage will air opposite the World Cup on ESPN/Univision.
(Sat. numbers from Sports Business Daily)
