A thrilling NLDS Game 5 did well in the ratings for TBS.
Wednesday’s Nationals-Dodgers National League Division Series Game 5 averaged a 3.5 rating and 5.86 million viewers on TBS, marking the highest rated and most-watched NLDS game since the previous Game 5 two years ago (Cubs-Nationals: 4.1, 7.02M).
Though down double-digits from the 2017 game, ratings increased 25% and viewership 29% from Game 5 of the 2016 NLDS between the same two teams (2.8, 4.53M).
Washington’s extra-inning win ranks as the top game of this year’s postseason. The Nationals have played in the top two, with their NL Wild Card win over Milwaukee ranking second (2.9, 4.73M).
The game ranked second for the night on television in adults 18-49, its 1.8 rating in the demo trailing only “The Masked Singer” on FOX (2.0). It also ranked second in adults 18-34, with a 1.3.
Earlier in the day, the Cardinals’ Game 5 rout of the Braves averaged a 2.05 rating and 3.33 million viewers — marking the least-watched LDS Game 5 since Rangers-Blue Jays in 2015 (3.20M). Not coincidentally, that was the last Game 5 to take place in the afternoon.
Of the 18 LDS Game 5s this decade, Nationals-Dodgers ranks tenth in viewership and Cardinals-Braves 15th.
In other action, Tuesday’s Astros-Rays ALDS Game 4 averaged a 2.3 rating and 3.70 million viewers on FS1 — down 48% from the same window last year, Red Sox-Yankees Game 4 on TBS (4.4, 7.15M).
Tampa Bay’s win delivered the largest audience of the ALDS, topping all three games of the Yankees-Twins series.
