Though the network’s highest-profile MLB telecast of the season was a rain-drenched dud, ESPN had a successful first half campaign.
ESPN averaged a 0.9 U.S. rating and 1.2 million viewers for Major League Baseball games during the first half of the regular season, up a tick in ratings and 11% in viewership from last year (0.8, 1.1M). Sunday Night Baseball in particular has averaged a 1.3 and 2.0 million — up 8% and 9%, respectively, from last year (1.2, 1.8M).
The network’s most recent regular season telecast, Sunday’s Yankees/Orioles game, earned 2.0 million viewers — up 7% from Cardinals/Cubs last year (1.9M) and the fourth of the last six Sunday night windows to have an increase.
ESPN’s success did not carry into Monday’s Home Run Derby, which was delayed an hour due to rain. The event earned a 3.4 U.S. rating and 5.4 million viewers, down 17% in ratings and 19% in viewership from last year (4.1, 6.7M) and down 17% and 22%, respectively, from 2012 (4.1, 6.9M).
The 3.4 rating is the lowest for the Home Run Derby since at least 1997 (ratings prior to 1998 were not available), falling below the previous mark of 3.5 in 2003.
(Season avg. from ESPN Media Zone; Sun. numbers from The Futon Critic; Mon. numbers from ESPN)
