World Series Game 5 ratings crushed by NFL

Already on a record-low pace, World Series ratings were hammered by the NFL Sunday night.

Sunday’s Astros-Nationals World Series Game 5 averaged a 6.5 rating and 11.39 million viewers on FOX, marking the lowest rated and least-watched Game 5 of the Fall Classic on record. The previous lows were a 7.3 and 12.64 million for Royals-Giants in 2014.

This year’s World Series accounts for the lowest rated and least-watched Game 2, Game 4 and Game 5.

Overall, Houston’s comfortable win delivered the fifth-lowest rating and sixth-smallest audience in World Series history. It was the lowest rated and least-watched World Series game that did not take place on a Saturday night (the least-watched night of the week).

Astros-Nationals is the first World Series in which multiple games averaged less than a 7.0 rating.

Game 5 was trounced in record fashion by NBC’s competing Sunday Night Football game (Packers-Chiefs: 10.4, 18.32M). SNF routed the World Series by 60% in ratings and 61% in viewership, its biggest win over the Fall Classic in a decade of head-to-head matchups.

Prior to Sunday, the World Series had beaten Sunday Night Football in three straight years. In addition to SNF, the game also trailed the three afternoon NFL windows on FOX and CBS.

The NFL did its part to weaken the World Series. For the first time since 2014, FOX did not air an NFL doubleheader leading into its Sunday night game. CBS got that powerful lead-in instead, its 60 Minutes lead-out averaging nearly as many viewers as did Game 5 (11.22M).

Without the usual NFL boost, FOX averaged just 3.27 million for its hour-long World Series pregame this year, compared to 15.3 million for a half-hour of NFL postgame and World Series pregame last year.

Locally, Game 5 averaged a series-high 35.2 rating and 55 share in Houston, up 7% from Dodgers-Astros in 2017 (32.9/53). Washington D.C. turned in a 19.0/33, a rebound from a series-low 17.3/36 in Game 4, but still behind the first three games of the series.

For the second-straight game, the World Series averaged a lower rating in D.C. than the corresponding game of the Capitals’ 2018 Stanley Cup Final appearance. The Capitals’ title-clinching Game 5 win averaged a 25.2.

Game 5 averaged a 2.7 in adults 18-49 (-41%), the third-lowest on record for any World Series game. Only Game 4 the previous night (2.3) and Game 4 in 2014 (2.6) averaged a lower rating in the demo. It also scored a 2.0 in adults 18-34 (-41%).

Lowest rated World Series games

Lowest rated				Least-watched
#	Year	Game	Rtg	#	Year	Game	Vwrs
1	2019	HOU-WSH Gm. 4	5.9	1	2008	TB-PHI Gm. 3	9.84M
2	2008	TB-PHI Gm. 3	6.1	2	2019	HOU-WSH Gm. 4	10.21M
3	2012	SF-DET Gm. 3	6.1	3	2012	SF-DET Gm. 3	10.47M
4	2014	KC-SF Gm. 4	6.3	4	2014	KC-SF Gm. 4	10.74M
5	2019	HOU-WSH Gm. 5	6.5	5	2011	STL-TEX Gm. 3	11.25M
6	2011	STL-TEX Gm. 3	6.6	6	2019	HOU-WSH Gm. 5	11.39M
7	2010	SF-TEX Gm. 3	6.7	7	2010	SF-TEX Gm. 3	11.46M
8	2019	HOU-WSH Gm. 3	7.1	8	2019	WSH-HOU Gm. 2	11.93M
8	2019	WSH-HOU Gm. 2	7.1	9	2014	KC-SF Gm. 3	12.13M
10	2014	KC-SF Gm. 3	7.2	10	2014	SF-KC Gm. 1	12.19M

[Nielsen estimates from Fox Sports, ShowBuzz Daily 10.29 a, b]

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Comments 13

Ivan says:

7 years ago

For me at least the time of games is a non issue. I tend to like the rythmn of baseball compared to football. All the commercial breaks and rule changes in football has really ruined the game for me. I think the fact baseball doesnt have a clock is one its most redeeming qualities.

I know exactly when a commercial is on and when a home run is hit and its time to celebrate or to be upset. Football is so awful now nobody knows when to celebrate a score or big play everyone looks around for flags or for a review. I can’t believe nobody else notices these things it boggles my mind. People dont even watch the games they just look up their fantasy team stats or the line.

The NFL’s greed and disregard for fans and cities frustrates me. They move teams when ever they feel like it for bigger stadiums that are funded by local govt. Baseball does none of these things, they know you don’t change a great recipe. Football does and is dying a slow death and people don’t even notice it. Not enough kids are playing due to CTE. Just the time and expenses and traveling involved in youth sports. Those are expensive resources when some have to feed kids and pay the mortgage. Cheaper and safer to buy a gaming console. So sports take a back seat for much of today’s youth. Hence the dropping ratings in sports. Baseball ratings are poor but I really feel that baseball is due for a great resurgence in the future. I do not think football is going to be as prosperous in the future. You can already see the drop off in talent in football. In baseball you can already see young talented players. But yes baseball does need to be market its youth better.

It probably means nothing to you all but If you want timely games than watch soccer. Two 45 min halves. 90 mins and the game is over. Then you can go about your day soccer mom’s.
Rick says:

7 years ago

Baseball needs to reinvent itself. Length of game needs to be addressed and the lack of batted balls, increased strikeouts and walks. I’d lower the mound and there is precedent. Somehow baseball needs to do a better job of marketing players.
Thomas S says:

7 years ago

I think that the technology broadcasting baseball is just now making it more interesting for those of us who haven’t been baseball followers. Baseball defense is not as obvious as football. The same could be said of the offense or batter’s perspective. Pitching, to someone who didn’t participate in the sport, looks all the same, until the broadcaster’s use the ability show the different pitches simultaneously. Then it’s Wow! I see it now. As the technology improves where the viewer feels like being a part of the game, the feel of interactive from the different player positions perspective, I think viewership will evolve. We see replays from the perspective of home plate or the pitcher’s mound, what about replays from the perspective of the outfielders when a hit is coming toward them, or infielders in making a double play. As camera technology becomes better and smaller, it would be interesting to see an experiment with mini-cams attached to player’s baseball cap for a players perspective. Of course that may be too intrusive. Just a thought.
Football is the sport that a lot of us grew up with, but the amount of injuries that just ‘cripple’ good teams chances, and the mounting penalties introduced into the game, is making it less enjoyable. It seems the refs have as much ‘playing’ time as the players. The World Series wasn’t something that I grew up watching, (I’m 65), but it has become something I’ve been watching more of in recent years and that’s largely because of the increase in the quality of the broadcast.
Samuel says:

7 years ago

Well now that there will be a Game 7, let’s see what the ratings will look like. If viewership doesn’t at least reach 15 million, this series is an epic failure. Even that’s a low number but would be good by 2019 baseball standards. Unfortunately, I don’t see it happening because if you’re not interested in the teams playing, what difference does it make who wins the series?
Nate Johnson says:

7 years ago

@Rich S I wouldn’t consider it to be Warriors fatigue. The fact that their opponents the Raptors were a non-US market team put a hit on the ratings for ABC. However, seeing the Warriors on the ropes helped the ratings because had the Warriors dominated the Raptors like they dominated the Cavs in 2017 and 2018 it would’ve spelled bad news for ABC at that time.

I still believe the NBA is on a year to year base when it comes to their ratings success. Last season’s playoffs were a bit off for the NBA. Some say it was because there was no LeBron, but I personally believe there were more reasons to that than just a LeBron-free playoffs. The main question for the NBA is if the Rockets ruins a LA-LA WCF and somehow win the West how will that look for them? Harden and Westbrook are household names and has plenty of draw, but everyone’s expecting the Clippers or Lakers to make it to the Finals to play either the Bucks or Sixers both teams that is taking a hit from receiving top level attention.
- Samuel says:
  
  7 years ago
  
  I don’t think the Clippers would be a draw. The might play in LA but no one in the nation cares about them. They’re not looked at as a big market team, similar to the Nets. I think ABC really wants Lakers/Sixers this season. Stars, markets, drama and storylines.
Nate Johnson says:

7 years ago

The issue the MLB has for Game 6 (yes I am looking forward) is the lack of marketing on Ace Pitching starters. Game 6 started by Stephen Strasburg and Justin Verlander should be something to look forward to and be among some of the more anticipating Starting Pitcher match-up in World Series. But MLB loves to market the hitters, Home runs, and most things offense. On the flip side, I am happy that TBS and FOX did a phenomenal job showcasing some of these big name starting pitchers pitches and their analysis on it. It’s amazing that the MLB doesn’t make that mainstream along with other plays. Meanwhile their competition showcases many different plays as their highlights.

I think another problem for the MLB (besides the lack of draw in this series) is still the lack of drama. Following this site for about 8 years, one thing I noticed is that if there’s a lack of draw (polarizing player(s), story-lines, or strong market) then it will be hard for many to follow and watch. But the one hope there needs to be is some drama within the games. Game 1 has only delivered that. Game 2 looked like it was going to be the case until the 7th inning. Games 3-5 were ALL Astros even though the Nats were threatening here and there to make it a game. That is something the MLB can’t afford. I can only hope the Nats win Game 6 and the MLB gets a winner take all game the following day something they didn’t get from Dodgers/Red Sox last Fall Classic. Wouldn’t be a bad trade off I assume.
Evan Poulakidas says:

7 years ago

Baseball is not dying, NFL is driven by gambling don’t kid yourself. if baseball could figure out a way to get the sector involved you would see better ratings. Again compare baseball ratings to all other sports besides the NFL before coming to the conclusion that the game is dying.
- Rich S says:
  
  7 years ago
  
  The NBA Finals will beat the World Series yet again this year, and that was with Warriors fatigue. The World Series has won that matchup now, what, twice in the last ten years? Baseball is now a distant third and it’s fading from view more each year.
- David says:
  
  7 years ago
  
  Agree. Also, comparing baseball and it’s 162 games per year, to any other sport, especially football almost becomes an apples and oranges comparison.
Chris says:

7 years ago

Yep, that’s bad. Seemed like Houston might be a better draw than this after the high ratings against the Dodgers two years ago, but perhaps that was all Dodgers? A more competitive series (most of these games have been blowouts)? Or just, that many people have either cut the cord or abandoned baseball in the last two years? Hard to figure. Definitely discouraging if you’re MLB.
- David says:
  
  7 years ago
  
  I’m a big fan, so obviously disappointed by these results. I do think the length of games is an issue. Even as a fan, I have not watched a complete post season game because I refuse to sit thru a 4 hour, 9 inning game, especially when there isn’t even many runs scored. This is also a problem in the regular season, although to a slightly lesser extent. I’m also not happy with the lack of balls put in play, too many walks and strikeouts. This has been a trend for a few years, and is another trouble spot for baseball. I think these issues can be addressed, especially the length of games. I believe that will help some, although only football seems immune to dropping ratings due to so many entertainment options. I don’t believe baseball is dying however.
  - esl says:
    
    7 years ago
    
    I agree with you David. I am a long time baseball fan as well and MLB needs to address the length of games. I am worried that MLB is not as concerned as the fans are and is in no rush to make any significant changes. The owners are making a ton of money on their regional cable deals. They are happy with the commissioner. He talked a lot about changes, but, nothing has been done. A perfect example is the implementing a pitch clock. This was discussed by the commissioner when he came into office, but, because of pushback by the players association, nothing has been done. And there is no plan to implement in the immediate future. I am concerned that MLB is not going to act on anything. I think once these giant cable deals run it’s course, and the owners are not seeing the massive income, that’s when changes will take place. But, I don’t see that happening any time soon.