The Major League Baseball season got off to its best start in seven years.
Sunday’s Cardinals/Cubs Major League Baseball Opening Night game drew a 2.0 rating and and 3.4 million viewers on ESPN2, according to Nielsen fast-nationals — up 43% in ratings and 47% in viewership from Dodgers/Padres on ESPN last year (1.4, 2.3M) and up 43% and 47%, respectively, from Rangers/Astros in 2013 (1.4, 2.3M).
The Cardinals’ shutout win ranks the most-watched MLB Opening Night game since Braves/Nationals in 2008 (3.7M), and is tied as the highest rated since Phillies/Braves in 2009 (2.1).
It also ranks as the most-watched regular season MLB telecast on the ESPN family of networks in nearly four years — since Yankees/Red Sox in August 2011 (4.7M).
Compared to other sports, Cardinals/Cubs topped both NBA Opening Night games on TNT — Rockets/Lakers (1.6, 2.4M) and Mavericks/Spurs (1.5, 2.3M). Keep in mind the NBA games aired opposite last year’s World Series. It also topped NHL Opening Night on NBCSN (0.6, 956K).
(Sun. numbers from ESPN Media Zone)
