While ratings for the now-completed NLCS have been less than impressive by broadcast standards, TBS continues to draw good numbers (for cable) for its coverage of the almost-completed ALCS.
Game 4 of the Rays/Red Sox American League Championship Series drew a 3.8/6 national rating and 5.7 million viewers on TBS Tuesday night, up 52% and 51% from a 2.5 and 3.8 million for Game 4 of last year’s NLCS, which aired at 10 PM on TBS. Compared to Game 4 of last year’s ALCS, which aired on FOX, the game was down 54% in ratings and viewers from an 8.2 with 12.3 million for Red Sox/Indians last year.
Meanwhile, the clinching Game 5 of the Phillies/Dodgers National League Championship Series drew a 6.3/10 overnight rating on FOX Wednesday night opposite the third and final presidential debate, down 34% from a 9.5/16 for Red Sox/Indians Game 5 in ’07.
From 8:45-9 PM, FOX averaged a 6.7/11 for Phillies/Dodgers. During the debate, “the rating fell to a 5.7/8, and bounced back to a 7.4/12 for the remainder of the game once the debate finished.”
In other politics/baseball related news, Major League Baseball has agreed to push back the start of a potential Game 6 of the World Series from 8:22 to 8:35 PM, to accomodate an address by Barack Obama.
