Game 7 of the World Series hit a seven-year high in the overnights Friday night.
The Cardinals’ series-clinching Game 7 win over the Rangers drew a 16.2 overnight rating on FOX Friday night, down 18% from 2002 (SF/ANA G7: 19.8), and down 40% from 2001 (NYY/ARI G7: 27.0).
The 2002 and 2001 games aired on Sunday nights.
Though down from previous Game 7s, Friday’s game drew the highest Major League Baseball overnight rating since 2004 (BOS/STL G4: 19.7).
Excluding the NFL, Game 7 earned the highest overnight for any sporting event this year, topping the BCS National Championship Game (AUB/ORE: 16.1, ESPN), Game 6 of the NBA Finals (DAL/MIA: 15.0, ABC), and the NCAA Tournament National Championship Game (CONN/BUT: 13.3, CBS).
Overall, the 16.2 ranks as the highest non-NFL overnight for any sporting event since Game 7 of the 2010 NBA Finals (BOS/LAL: 18.2, ABC).
Through the first six games, final ratings for the 2011 World Series have declined between 8% and 12% from the overnight, putting Friday’s game on pace to finish in the 14.3-14.9 range.
UPDATE 10/29: Overnight ratings for Game 7 now included.
(This year’s numbers from the Entertainment Weekly)
