Opening Night of the 2014 Major League Baseball season drew even with last year.
The Dodgers/Padres MLB Opening Night game earned a 1.5 overnight rating on ESPN, even with Rangers/Astros last year (1.5), but down 17% from Cardinals/Marlins on a Wednesday night in 2012 (1.8). This is the fourth straight year that the Opening Night game has earned an overnight below 2.0.
This is also the fourth straight year overnight ratings have either held steady or declined for the Opening Night game.
Compared to other sports, the MLB Opening Night game is not a particularly big draw. The NBA’s Bulls/Heat opener had a 4.2 overnight on TNT in October, and the NFL’s Ravens/Broncos Kickoff Game scored a massive 16.2 on NBC.
Overnight Ratings For MLB Opening Night Game
(Sun. overnight from Sports Business Daily)
