Considering the afternoon start time, it may not be surprising that Wednesday’s ALCS Game 5 declined by double-digits from last year’s primetime NLCS clincher.
TBS drew a 4.1 U.S. rating and 6.107 million viewers for the Yankees’ Game 5 win over the Rangers, down 18% in ratings and 24% in viewership from Game 5 of last year’s NLCS on TBS (LAD/PHI: 5.0, 7.978 mil), and down 13% and 15%, respectively, from Game 5 of the 2008 ALCS on TBS (TB/BOS: 4.7, 7.211 mil).
Game 5 of last year’s Yankees/Angels ALCS drew a 7.6 rating and 11.851 million viewers on broadcast network FOX.
All three comparable games — both LCS Game 5s last year and Game 5 of the ALCS in 2008 — aired in primetime.
Owing to the early start time, Wednesday’s game drew the second-lowest numbers of the Rangers/Yankees series. Only Game 2, which also aired during the afternoon, fared worse (3.6, 5.831 mil).
Through five games, TBS is averaging a 4.8 U.S. rating and 7.626 million viewers for the 2010 ALCS, up 26% in ratings and viewership from last year’s NLCS on TBS (3.8, 6.064 mil).
Viewership for the series has increased by over 30% in all key male demographics, and by at least 20% in all key adult demographics — including adults 18-49 (up 23%).
The gains for the Rangers/Yankees series have managed to make up for the declines TBS suffered during the Division Series. The network’s coverage of the postseason as a whole is now averaging a 3.4 U.S. rating and 5.337 million viewers, up 3% and 4%, respectively, from last year (3.3, 5.146 mil).
(Turner Sports)
