The season’s first MLB games on Fox Sports 1 had double-digit increases over last year. In other news, the MLB Civil Rights Game improved over last year’s comparable telecast, and MLB Network received a boost from last week’s Red Sox/Yankees marathon.
FS1 Sees Gains For MLB Openers
- Fox Sports 1 earned a 0.4 final rating and 521,000 viewers for last Saturday’s Red Sox/Yankees game, the network’s first telecast of the season — up a tick in ratings and 37% in viewership from Twins/Indians last year (0.3, 380K). Royals/Angels drew a 0.3 and 481,000 in primetime, flat and up 14%, respectively, from Giants/Dodgers in an earlier timeslot last year (0.3, 421K). Keep in mind last year’s games were the first ever on FS1 and aired on Final Four Saturday. (via Awful Announcing)
MLB Civil Rights Game Up From Comparable Night Last Year
- The MLB Civil Rights Game between the Mariners and Dodgers earned 419,000 viewers on ESPN2 Wednesday night, up 31% from Astros/Blue Jays in an earlier timeslot last year (321K). Viewership was not available for last year’s Civil Rights Game, which took place on May 30. (via ShowBuzz Daily)
Sox/Yanks Marathon Boosts MLB Network
- Last Friday’s 19-inning Red Sox/Yankees game earned a 0.3 final rating and 460,000 viewers on MLB Network — up a tick in ratings and 41% in viewership from Yankees/Blue Jays last year (0.2, 327K). The Red Sox’ win, which ended after 2 AM ET, helped MLB Network to its most-watched day ever during the regular season. (via Awful Announcing [1], [2])
