After a modest increase for Game 1, NLCS ratings posted an equally modest decline in Game 2.
Sunday’s Cubs-Dodgers NLCS Game 2 had 6.8 million viewers on TBS, per Nielsen fast-nationals — down 7% from the same matchup on FS1 last year (7.3M) but up 4% from Cubs-Mets on TBS in 2015 (6.6M). Ratings were not immediately available.
Compared to last year’s Blue Jays-Indians ALCS Game 2 on TBS, which aired on a Saturday afternoon, Game 2 viewership increased 162% from 2.6 million.
The Dodgers’ walk-off win, which peaked with 8.9 million viewers from 10:45-11 PM ET, was the most-watched LCS Game 2 ever on TBS (11 telecasts). Keep in mind Fox Sports has earned larger Game 2 audiences, including just last year.
It also delivered the third-largest audience of the postseason on any network, trailing only the two Division Series Game 5s — Yankees-Indians (7.3M) and Cubs-Nationals (7.0M). The Cubs or Yankees have played in the nine most-watched playoff games this season (23 total telecasts).
Per the Chicago Tribune, Game 2 had a 19.3 rating in Chicago — down 19% from last year (23.9) but up 2% from 2015 (19.0). It had an 11.0 in Los Angeles (+14%). Both games of the series have now declined double-digits in Chicago and increased double-digits in Los Angeles.
[Sun. numbers from Turner Sports PR, Chicago Tribune 10.16]
