A rare World Series no-hitter hit series-highs in both ratings and viewership.
Wednesday’s Astros-Phillies World Series Game 4 averaged a 6.6 rating and 11.81 million viewers on FOX (12.06M across all platforms), up 17% in ratings and 9% in viewership from Astros-Braves last year (5.65, 10.79M) and the highest rated and most-watched World Series Game 4 in four years (2018 Red Sox-Dodgers: 7.9, 13.56M).
Keep in mind it was the first Game 4 that did not air on a Saturday night since 2013. Saturday night is still the least-watched night of the week, but was especially so prior to Nielsen incorporating out-of-home viewing in its final nationals two years ago.
The Astros’ no-hit win delivered the highest rating and viewership of the World Series and was the first game of the Fall Classic to post gains in both ratings and viewership.
It was also the first game of the World Series to post a higher rating than the equivalent game of last season’s NBA Finals (Warriors-Celtics: 6.2), though the NBA game did average a larger audience (12.06M) and swept the key demos.
Speaking of, Game 4 averaged a 2.8 rating in adults 18-49, a 1.9 in 18-34 and a 3.3 in 25-54 — up 21, 28 and 15 percent respectively from last year (pending revision). All four games of the World Series have posted bigger gains in 18-34 than in 18-49 or 25-54.
Through four games, the World Series was averaging 11.33 million viewers on FOX — up 4% from last year (10.92M).
Locally, Game 4 drew a 26.6 rating and 53 share in Philadelphia and a 24.0/52 in Houston.
(Nielsen estimates from Programming Insider 11.3, Fox Sports PR)
