Just four games in, and the Chicago Cubs’ playoff run has already been a boon for TBS.
Game 3 of the Cardinals/Cubs National League Division Series had a 3.5 rating and 5.8 million viewers on TBS Monday night, per Nielsen fast-nationals — up 192% in ratings and 215% in viewership from Nationals/Giants on MLB Network last year (1.2, 1.8M) and up 21% and 29%, respectively, from Red Sox/Rays on TBS in 2013 (2.9, 4.5M).
The Cubs’ win ranks as the most-watched game of the Division Series thus far, and the top non-clinching LDS game since Yankees/Tigers Game 4 in 2011 (4.6, 7.0M). All four of the Cubs’ games this postseason have had at least a 39% increase in ratings and viewership compared to last year.
Game 3 of Dodgers/Mets drew a 2.4 and 4.0 million later in the night, up 26% in ratings and 37% in viewership from Dodgers/Cardinals on Fox Sports 1 last year (1.9, 2.9M) and down 4% and up 2%, respectively, compared to Braves/Dodgers in 2013 (2.5, 3.9M). The first hour of the game aired on TNT, earning 2.3 million.
Monday’s American League playoff games did not do nearly as well. FS1 drew 2.2 million viewers for Game 4 of Royals/Astros, up 142% from Athletics/Tigers Game 3 on MLB Network in 2013 (912K). Blue Jays/Rangers Game 4 had 2.0 million later in the afternoon, down 23% from Cardinals/Pirates Game 4 in 2013 (2.6M). There were no comparable windows last year.
UPDATE 10/13: Original version of post mistakenly said ALDS Game 4s were most-watched of series. In Royals/Astros, Game 1 ranks as the most-watched, and in Blue Jays/Rangers, Game 3 is the most-watched.
(Mon. numbers from Turner Sports, ShowBuzz Daily)
