Without the benefit of an NFL lead-in, Game 5 of the World Series hit multiple lows on FOX.
Game 5 of the Royals/Giants World Series drew an 8.2 overnight rating on FOX Sunday night, down 18% from both Red Sox/Cardinals Game 5 last year and Cardinals/Rangers Game 5 in 2011 (10.0). There was no Game 5 in 2012.
The 8.2 overnight is easily the lowest ever for a Game 5 in the World Series, trailing the previous low of 10.0 set last year and in 2011. It is also the lowest ever for a World Series game on a Sunday, falling below the previous mark of 10.1 set in 2011.
A major factor in Sunday’s low overnight is that FOX did not air the NFL doubleheader this week. As a result, Game 5 did not have the benefit of a direct NFL lead-in. In previous years, the 4:25 PM ET NFL national window — typically the highest rated and most-watched TV program of the week — would lead directly into World Series coverage.
Head-to-head, Game 5 was beaten comfortably by NBC’s Sunday Night Football (11.4). The 39% gap between the two events marks the largest ever win for SNF opposite the World Series. Last year, the World Series won the head-to-head battle 10.5 to 10.3.
Game 4 drew a 7.1 overnight on Saturday, the lowest ever for a Game 4 and the second-lowest for any World Series game. Only Phillies/Rays Game 3 in 2008 had a lower overnight (7.0). Friday’s Game 3 drew an 8.1 overnight; final numbers for that game are available here.
(Sun. overnight from USA Today; Sat. overnight from ShowBuzz Daily)
