Fueled by the presence of the New York Yankees, TBS saw strong numbers for the first day of the 2009 MLB Postseason.
TBS averaged a 3.3 U.S. rating and 4.9 million viewers for Wednesday’s MLB playoff tripleheader — up 14% (vs. a 2.9) and 16% (vs. 4.3 mil) from last year, up 7% (vs. a 3.1) and 8% (vs. 4.6 mil) from ’07, and the most-viewed first day of the MLB Postseason since ’05.
Not surprisingly, the highest rated, most-viewed game of the day involved the Yankees. The Yankees’ Game 1 win over the Twins drew a 4.3 U.S. rating and 6.6 million viewers on TBS Wednesday evening, up 23% in ratings and viewership from Dodgers/Cubs Game 1 in the same timeslot last year (3.5, 5.4 mil), and up 16% and 21%, respectively, from Angels/Red Sox Game 1 in ’07 (3.7, 5.5 mil).
Twins/Yankees Game 1 ranks as the highest rated, most-viewed Division Series game since Indians/Yankees Game 4 in ’07 (5.9, 9.2 mil).
TBS saw another double-digit rise for Game 1 of the Cardinals/Dodgers series. The Dodgers’ win drew a 3.3 U.S. rating and 5 million viewers, up 10% and 12%, respectively, from Red Sox/Angels Game 1 last year (3.0, 4.4 mil), but down 3% in ratings and viewership from Cubs/Diamondbacks Game 1 in ’07 (3.4, 5.1 mil).
The only game of the day that did not have an increase in ratings or viewership was Game 1 between the Rockies and Phillies. The Phillies’ Game 1 win drew a 2.0 U.S. rating and 2.8 million viewers, even in ratings and viewership from last year’s Brewers/Phillies Game 1 (2.0, 2.8 mil), but down 9% and 13%, respectively, from Rockies/Phillies Game 1 in ’07 (2.2, 3.2 mil).
Ratings for first day of MLB Division Series on TBS
| Date | Time | Game | Net | Rating | vs. ’08 | vs. ’07 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wed., 10/7/09 | 2:30 PM | Rockies/Phillies G1 | TBS |
2.0
|
0%
|
-13%
|
| 6 PM | Twins/Yankees G1 | TBS |
4.3
|
23%
|
16%
|
|
| 9:30 PM | Cardinals/Dodgers G1 | TBS |
3.3
|
10%
|
-3%
|
|
Average rating |
3.3
|
14%
|
7%
|
|||
Source: Turner Sports
