Boston and St. Louis are much-celebrated baseball towns, but this year’s World Series declined by double-digits in both markets. In other news, TNT drew solid numbers for an NBA doubleheader Thursday night, and the Pacers and Pistons opened their respective seasons with multi-year highs.
World Series Down Double-Digits in Boston, St. Louis
- The Red Sox/Cardinals World Series averaged a 40.6 rating in St. Louis, down 14% from the seven-game Cardinals/Rangers series in 2011 (47.2), down 17% from the five-game Cardinals/Tigers series in 2006 (48.9), and down 8% from the four-game Red Sox/Cardinals series in 2004 (44.3). In Boston, the series averaged a 39.6 rating, up slightly from the Red Sox’ 2007 win — in the ALCS (38.7). Compared to the Red Sox’ previous World Series, this year’s rating dropped 22% from Red Sox/Rockies in 2007 (50.7*) and 23% from 2004 (51.3), both sweeps. (Fox Sports)
NBA Solid on TNT Thursday Night
- Thursday’s Knicks/Bulls NBA regular season game drew a 1.6 U.S. rating and 2.5 million viewers on TNT. There were no comparable games last year (due to Hurricane Sandy) or in 2011 (due to the NBA owners’ lockout). Later in the night, the Warriors/Clippers game drew a 1.4 and 2.2 million — flat in ratings and up 1% in viewership from Thunder/Spurs last year (1.4, 2.1M). (Turner Sports)
Pacers and Pistons Start Strong
- The Pacers’ season opener against the Magic drew a 4.8 rating on Fox Sports Indiana Tuesday night, up 46% from last year’s Pacers/Raptors opener (3.3), and the network’s rating for any regular season Pacers game since December 2005 (5.0). Meanwhile, the Pistons’ opener against the Wizards drew a 5.2 rating on Fox Sports Detroit Wednesday night, the network’s highest rated Pistons game since 2009 and most-viewed opener ever. (Pacers.com, MLive.com)
* Local average for the 2007 World Series is approximate, not official.
