The American League Division Series got off to a strong start despite the absence of the Yankees and Red Sox.
Game 1 of the Royals/Angels ALDS drew a 2.7 final rating and 4.2 million viewers on TBS Thursday night, up 17% in ratings and 20% in viewership from Dodgers/Braves Game 1 last year (2.3, 3.5M) and up 42% and 36%, respectively, from Reds/Giants Game 1 on a Saturday night in 2012 (1.9, 3.1M).
Orioles/Tigers Game 1 earlier in the evening drew a 2.5 and 4.0 million, up 47% in ratings and 54% in viewership from Pirates/Cardinals last year (1.7, 2.6M) and up 32% and 29%, respectively, from Athletics/Tigers in 2012 (1.9, 3.1M).
The games rank as the two most-watched Division Series openers since 2011, when Tigers/Yankees Game 1 drew 4.2 million. Through Thursday, all four MLB playoff games had a double-digit increase in both ratings and viewership.
The increases are especially impressive considering the NFL provided much stronger competition than in previous years. Thursday Night Football drew 16.5 million viewers on CBS and NFL Network, more than double the number of viewers who watched last year on NFL Network and local channels.
(Thu. numbers from Turner Sports)
