Though not as big a draw as Game 1, the second game of the World Series hit another seven-year high on FOX.
Game 2 of the Cubs/Indians World Series had a 10.2 rating and 17.4 million viewers on FOX Wednesday night, per Nielsen fast-nationals — up 23% in ratings and 27% in viewership from Mets/Royals last year (8.3, 13.7M) and up 29% and 35%, respectively, from Giants/Royals in 2014 (7.9, 12.9M).
The Cubs’ win, which peaked at 20.7 million viewers from 9-9:15 PM ET, ranks as the highest rated and most-watched Game 2 of the Fall Classic in seven years — since Phillies/Yankees in 2009 (11.7, 18.9M). Game 1 also hit seven-year highs in both measures.
Wednesday’s first pitch was moved up an hour from 8 PM ET to 7 PM to avoid rain forecast for later in the evening. The earlier start was likely a factor in Game 2 slipping 9% in ratings and 10% in viewership from the previous night’s Game 1, which had an 11.3 and 19.4 million.
Figures do not include the Spanish-language audience on Fox Deportes (278K) or streaming viewership on Fox Sports GO (115K). With those figures included, the game had 17.8 million viewers.
In adults 18-49, Game 2 had a 4.8 rating — up 23% from last year (3.9), up 41% from 2014 (3.4) and the highest for Game 2 since 2009 (5.8). It had a 3.7 in adults 18-34, also up 23% from last year (3.0) and up 28% from 2014 (2.9).
The Cubs/Indians World Series is now averaging a 10.7 rating and 18.3 million viewers on FOX, up 23% in ratings and 27% in viewership from last year (8.7, 14.4M), up 40% and 46%, respectively, from 2014 (7.6, 12.5M) and the best two-game average since 2009 (11.8, 19.2M). The series is averaging the same number of viewers as this year’s NBA Finals through two games (the corresponding average rating was not available).
(Numbers via Fox Sports, ShowBuzz Daily 10/27)
