The Diamondbacks and Rangers delivered on the field in Game 1 of the World Series, but the ratings were a different story.
Friday’s Diamondbacks-Rangers World Series Game 1 averaged a 4.6 rating and 9.17 million viewers on FOX (9.35M across all Fox platforms), marking the lowest rated and least-watched Game 1 of the Fall Classic on record. The previous lows were a 5.1 and 9.35 million for Rays-Dodgers in the 2020 “bubble” (9.60M including Fox Deportes). No other Game 1 has averaged less than a 5.7 rating (Phillies-Astros last year) or 10.93 million (Braves-Astros in 2021).
The Rangers’ extra-inning, walk-off win — which peaked with 9.89 million from 9:30-9:45 PM ET — tops only Game 3 in 2020 (4.3, 8.34M) as the lowest rated and least-watched World Series game all-time.
Ratings fell 18% and viewership 20% from last year’s aforementioned Game 1 (5.7, 11.48M).
Historically low ratings have become the norm for major sporting events in this decade, though the 2020 COVID year has generally remained in a class by itself. Prior to this year, Dodgers-Rays accounted for the four smallest World Series audiences on record and five of the bottom seven.
Game 1 averaged an 18.8 rating and 49 share in Dallas-Ft. Worth and a 16.0/45 in Phoenix. Saturday’s Game 2, national figures for which will be available on Tuesday, averaged a 17.7/49 in Dallas and a 14.7/44 in Phoenix.
In the key young adult demographics, Game 1 averaged a 1.95 in adults 18-49, a 1.3 in 18-34 and a 2.45 in 25-54 — down 32, 39 and 29 percent respectively from last year (2.85, 2.18, 3.43). Ratings in 18-49 and 18-34 were the lowest ever for a World Series game.
