World Series TV ratings are off to impressive start
Roberto Perez of the Cleveland Indians celebrates with Brandon Guyer after hitting a three-run home run during the eighth inning against the Chicago Cubs in Game 1 of the 2016 World Series at Progressive Field on Oct. 25, 2016 in Cleveland. Credit: Getty Images / Jamie Squire
Game 1 of the World Series averaged 19.4 million viewers Tuesday night, up from 14.9 million for Game 1 last season, when the Mets faced the Royals, and the highest such figure for a Game 1 since the Yankees and Phillies averaged 19.5 in 2009.
The impressive start bodes well for Cubs vs. Indians to become the first Series to average more than 20 million viewers since the Red Sox’s sweep of the Cardinals in 2004. A six- or seven-game series would help achieve that goal.
Game 1 averaged 46.5 percent of homes in the Cleveland area, far better than the 36.0 for Game 1 of the NBA Finals last spring between the Cavaliers and Warriors.
Nationally, viewership peaked at 22.7 million at 9:15 p.m. The later parts of the game were hurt by the fact the Indians won, 6-0.
The ratings for Game 2 figure to be negatively impacted by the decision to start an hour earlier than scheduled because of a rainy forecast for later Wednesday night.
Neil Best first worked at Newsday in 1982, returned in 1985 after a detour to Alaska and has been here since, specializing in high schools, college basketball, the NFL and most recently sports media and business.
