ESPN’s MLB viewership has slumped as of late. In other news, FS1 and TBS both posted gains for Cubs/Dodgers games last weekend, and Premier Boxing Champions dipped on Spike.
Down Week For MLB on ESPN
- Royals/Red Sox scored a 1.0 final rating and 1.5 million viewers on ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball last weekend, down 29% in ratings and viewership from Cubs/Dodgers last year, which featured a no-hitter by Cubs P Jake Arrieta, but up 43% and 42%, respectively, from A’s/Braves in 2014 (0.7, 1.0M). In other action, Mariners/Rangers scored 532,000 viewers on Monday night (-50%) and Pirates/Cubs 662,000 on Wednesday (-21%). Ten of ESPN’s last 11 MLB telecasts have declined from last year, with the caveat that five faced the Olympics.
Cubs/Dodgers Up on FS1, TBS
- Fox Sports 1 scored 607,000 viewers for Cubs/Dodgers on Saturday afternoon, up 83% from Red Sox/Mets last year (331K) and up 153% from Giants/Nationals in 2014 (240K). The game posted a 0.4 final rating, doubling last year and 2014. Later in the night, Angels/Tigers had a 0.3 and 471,000 later in the night — down 40% and 26%, respectively, from Yankees/Braves last year (0.5, 638K). Over on TBS, another Cubs/Dodgers game had a 0.4 (+33%) and 548,000 (+27%) on Sunday afternoon.
Opposite UFC, PBC Dips on Spike
- The latest edition of Premier Boxing Champions on Spike delivered 507,000 viewers last Saturday night, down 5% from the network’s previous PBC window in July (531K) but up 8% from coverage in June (468K). The telecast aired directly opposite UFC on FOX 21, which had a series-low 1.2 and 2.0 million.
