While the big-market National League playoffs have scored big increases so far, the American League Division Series has been far less of a draw.
Game 3 of the Blue Jays/Rangers ALDS earned a 1.7 overnight rating on Fox Sports 1 Sunday night, down 39% from Angels/Royals last year (2.8) and down 32% from Dodgers/Braves in 2013 (2.5), both on TBS. Excluding the Wild Card Game on ESPN, the 1.7 is the highest for an A.L. playoff game thus far (six telecasts).
Earlier in the day, Game 3 of the Royals/Astros drew a 1.2 overnight on MLB Network — down 46% from Orioles/Tigers last year (2.2) and down 43% from Cardinals/Pirates in 2013 (2.1).
Friday’s games put up similar numbers. Game 2 of Astros/Royals drew a 1.6 on FS1, even with Giants/Nationals last year, and Game 2 of Rangers/Blue Jays scored a 1.2 on MLB Network — down 25% from Tigers/Orioles on TBS last year (1.6).
By comparison, all four NLDS games have had at least 3.0 overnight on TBS, and the two Wild Card games both topped the 5.0 mark. It should be noted that FS1 (84.3M) and MLB Network (68.3M) were both in many fewer homes than TBS (95.4M) as of July.
(Wknd. overnights via ShowBuzz Daily)
