After a 14-inning thriller on Tuesday, Game 2 of the World Series was less dramatic and less of a draw.
Game 2 of the Mets/Royals World Series earned a 9.3 overnight rating on FOX Wednesday night, up 6% from Giants/Royals last year (8.8) but down 2% from Cardinals/Red Sox in 2013 (9.5). The 9.3 is the fourth-lowest for Game 2 of the World Series, ahead of only Giants/Royals last year, Tigers/Giants in 2012 (8.8) and Phillies/Rays in 2008 (9.2).
The Royals’ blowout win, which peaked at 10.8 from 9:45-10 PM ET, faced competition from the Republican Presidential Debate on CNBC. Overnights for that event were not available. From 10:30-10:45 PM ET, just after the debate ended, FOX had an 8% bump in overnights over the previous quarter hour (9.5).
Game 2 trailed Tuesday’s series opener by 11% (10.5 to 9.3), matching 2008 and 1996 as the biggest drop from Game 1 to Game 2 since at least the 1994 players’ strike.
Locally, Game 2 drew a 56.6 rating in Kansas City — slightly below Game 1 (57.3) but up 14% from Game 2 last year (49.7). It had a 21.3 in New York, down 19% from Game 1 (26.2) and down 49% from the last Game 2 to involve the Mets in 2000 (42.1). The 2000 series also involved the Yankees, no doubt inflating the local ratings.
Despite the soft performance for Game 2, the World Series is averaging a 10.0 rating in the metered markets — up 19% from last year (8.4) the highest two-game average since 2010 (10.2).
(Wed. numbers from Fox Sports)
