Baseball ratings have rebounded on FOX, remained even on TBS, and fallen by double-digits on ESPN.
The Sports Business Journal reports that FOX is averaging a 2.1 rating and 3.1 million viewers for six MLB telecasts through May 16, flat in ratings but up 3% in viewers from the comparable point last year.
The fact that ratings have pulled even with last year’s numbers is especially good news for FOX, which began the season with a 9% decline.
While FOX is flat, ESPN has seen a double-digit decline in ratings and viewership for its MLB coverage. 20 MLB telecasts through May 24 averaged a 1.1 U.S. rating and 1.6 million viewers on ESPN and ESPN2, down 15% in ratings and 18% in viewers from a 1.3 and 1.9 million through the same point last year.
In particular, Sunday Night Baseball is averaging a 1.8 U.S. rating and 2.7 million viewers, off 10% in ratings and viewers from a 2.0 and 3 million in ’08.
Over on TBS, seven Sunday afternoon telecasts have averaged a paltry 0.5 U.S. rating and 699,000 viewers — much closer to the numbers NHL and IRL telecasts garner on Versus than to baseball on ESPN. Still, while MLB telecasts on ESPN have seen double-digit drops, the 0.5 rating for TBS is flat from last year, and the 699,000 viewers actually marks a 1% increase.
