The Chicago Cubs helped MLB Network double its all-time ratings record.
Game 2 of the Giants/Cubs National League Division Series earned a 2.5 rating and 4.6 million viewers on MLB Network Saturday night, per Nielsen fast-nationals — easily the highest rated and most-watched program in MLB Network history (dates back to 2009). The previous highs were a 1.0 and 1.8 million for Game 2 of Cardinals/Dodgers in 2014.
The Cubs’ win, which peaked at a 2.9 and 5.2 million from 10-10:15 PM ET, more than doubled last year’s playoff games on MLB Network — Rangers/Blue Jays Game 2 (1.6M) and Royals/Astros Game 3 (1.7M).
Versus Mets/Dodgers in the same Saturday night window last year, which aired on TBS, Giants/Cubs dipped 4% in ratings (from 2.6) but increased 9% in viewership (4.2M). Compared to last year’s Cubs/Cardinals Game 2, which also aired on TBS but in a late afternoon window, ratings fell 11% and viewership was virtually flat. Due to a special free preview of MLB Network, the channel was in 90 million homes at the time of the game — comparable to the 95 million TBS was in last year.
Locally, Game 2 had an 18.8 rating in Chicago and an 11.9 in the Bay Area. The latter market posted an 80% increase over the last Giants playoff game on MLB Network, Game 2 of the 2014 NLDS against the Nationals.
To put the numbers in perspective, the highest rating in NFL Network history is a 5.7 for Cowboys/Saints in 2009 and the largest audience is 10.7 million for 49ers/Ravens on Thanksgiving 2011. That does not include CBS simulcasts. On NBA TV, which became Nielsen rated in 2010, the records are 1.5 and 2.6 million for Warriors/Spurs this past April. That game, in which Golden State tied the then-NBA regular season record of 72 wins, was blacked out in the local markets. NHL Network is not Nielsen rated.
UPDATE 10/15: Updated to reflect fact that MLB Network was in 90 million homes due to a free preview.
(Sat. numbers from MLB Network PR/Twitter 10/9a, 10/9b, 10/9c)
