Fueled by a stronger performance for the World Series, the MLB postseason was a better draw this year.
The 2013 MLB Postseason averaged a 3.9 rating and 6.3 million viewers on FOX, TBS and MLB Network, up 18% in ratings and 20% in viewership from last year (3.3, 5.2M).
Each round of the playoffs had an increase over last year. Though the World Series was the fourth-lowest rated ever, the Red Sox’ six-game win over the Cardinals averaged an 8.9 and 14.9 million viewers — up 17% in ratings and 18% in viewership from last year (7.6, 12.7M). The League Championship Series on FOX and TBS averaged a 4.1 and 6.4 million, up 5% and 3%, respectively, from last year (3.9, 6.2M).
The Division Series on TBS and MLB Network averaged a 2.3 and 3.5 million, up 5% in ratings and 4% in viewership from last year (2.2, 3.3M). Finally, the two-game Wild Card round averaged a 3.0 and 4.7 million on TBS — flat in ratings and up 3% in viewership from last year (3.0, 4.6M).
The MLB Postseason averaged a higher rating and more viewers than the NBA Playoffs (3.4, 5.3M) — a reversal from last year, when the NBA topped baseball in both ratings (3.6 to 3.3) and viewership (5.6M to 5.3M). Though baseball led overall, the NBA came out ahead on a round-by-round basis, and the NBA Finals topped the World Series for the fifth time in six years.
This year’s postseason also averaged more viewers than this year’s college football bowl season (5.6M), but trailed the NCAA Tournament on CBS/Turner Sports (10.7M).
Average Ratings/Viewership 2013 MLB Postseason
Compared to 2012
|
Round
|
2013
|
2012
|
||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Rating
|
Viewers
|
Rating
|
Viewers
|
|
| Wild Card |
3.0
|
4.68M
|
3.0
|
4.61M
|
| Division Series |
2.3
|
3.46M
|
2.2
|
3.32M
|
| League Champ. Series |
4.1
|
6.41M
|
3.9
|
6.24M
|
| World Series |
8.9
|
14.94M
|
7.6
|
12.66M
|
| Overall |
3.9
|
6.27M
|
3.3
|
5.24M
|
(Averages from MLB)
