UPDATE: Major League Baseball (MLB) is experiencing its most-watched postseason in the United States in over a decade, with viewership averaging 4.33 million during the division series. This marks a staggering 30% increase compared to last year and the highest ratings since 2010.
In a thrilling showdown last Friday, the Seattle Mariners faced off against the Detroit Tigers in a nail-biting 15-inning game that captivated audiences, averaging 8.72 million viewers across Fox, Fox Deportes, and streaming platforms. This matchup, which concluded with the Mariners’ 3-2 victory, is now the most-watched division round game on Fox since 2011, when the Detroit Tigers defeated the New York Yankees in a game that averaged 9.72 million viewers.
The two American League Division Series aired on Fox, FS1, and FS2 averaged 4.15 million viewers, marking the most-watched division round on any network since the National League Division Series aired on TBS featuring the Cubs and Cardinals, as well as the Mets and Dodgers.
The Toronto Blue Jays claimed victory over the New York Yankees in their series, averaging 7.65 million viewers across both the U.S. and Canada. Overall, viewership for all four division series in the U.S. reached an average of 4.17 million, a significant 17% increase from last year and the highest since 2011.
In Canada, the Blue Jays’ division series games also saw a boost, averaging 3.65 million viewers, which is a 10% increase from their last ALDS appearance in 2016.
As anticipation builds for the upcoming AL Championship Series, the first game between the Mariners and the Blue Jays, set to take place on Sunday, is already generating buzz. It averaged 5.31 million viewers, reflecting an impressive 32% increase over last year’s Game 1 of the ALCS between Cleveland and the Yankees.
This surge in viewership not only highlights the growing excitement surrounding MLB postseason games but also underscores the emotional connection fans continue to have with their teams. With records being broken and thrilling matchups unfolding, MLB’s postseason is capturing the hearts of millions, making it a must-watch event this October.
As the playoffs continue, fans and analysts alike are eager to see if this momentum can carry through to the World Series. Stay tuned for further updates as the MLB playoffs progress and the stakes get even higher.
