It may have been low by Game 6 standards, but the penultimate game of the World Series was a healthy draw by any other.
Tuesday’s Nationals-Astros World Series Game 6 averaged a 9.6 rating and 16.43 million viewers on FOX, topping only Giants-Royals in 2014 (8.1, 13.37M) as the lowest rated and least-watched Game 6 of the Fall Classic on record.
Washington’s dramatic win, which peaked at 19.16 million viewers from 10:45-11 PM ET, sank 24% in ratings and 26% in viewership from Astros-Dodgers in 2017 (12.6, 22.33M) and 27% and 30% respectively from Cubs-Indians in 2016 (13.2, 23.40M), the two most recent game sixes.
Including streaming and Spanish-language viewership, it averaged 17.03 million (-25% from 2017).
If low historically, Game 6 showed a marked improvement over the first five games of the series, none of which exceeded a 7.3 or 12.28 million. Ratings increased 48% and viewership 44% over Sunday’s Game 5 (6.5, 11.39M), the biggest rise from one World Series game to another since Game 7 in 2016 (+64% and +71%).
Excluding game sevens, only nine World Series games dating back to 1972 have posted a bigger increase over the previous contest.
In addition to the series-high, Game 6 ranks as the highest rated and most-watched weeknight television program in more than a month, since Eagles-Packers on Thursday Night Football September 26 (10.5, 17.91M).
It also ranks as the seventh-most watched sporting event of the year, excluding NFL games, behind the national championship games of college football and college basketball, Games 5 and 6 of the NBA Finals, the Rose Bowl, and the Women’s World Cup Final.
Locally, Houston turned in a series-high 41.2 rating and 62 share — down 1% from Game 6 in 2017 (41.8). Washington D.C. turned in a 23.4/43, up 23% from Game 5 (19.0).
Game 6 averaged a 4.1 rating in adults 18-49, down 32% from 2017 (6.0) and down 38% from 2016 (6.6), but easily the highest demo rating of the series. It also had a 2.8 in adults 18-34 (-40%).
[Nielsen estimates from Fox Sports PR, ShowBuzz Daily 10.30]
