
BREAKING: Major League Baseball (MLB) is experiencing its most-viewed postseason in the United States since 2017, with viewership numbers averaging 4.48 million according to recent data from MLB and Nielsen. This represents a significant 13% increase from last year, highlighting a surge in fan engagement during the League Championship Series.
This surge is primarily driven by the excitement surrounding the first two playoff rounds. The American League Championship Series (ALCS), broadcast across Fox, Fox Sports 1, and streaming platforms, averaged 4.99 million viewers over seven games, matching the viewership of last year’s ALCS where the New York Yankees triumphed over the Cleveland Guardians in five games.
The postseason is capturing attention not just in the U.S. but also internationally. In Canada, the Toronto Blue Jays secured a thrilling 4-3 victory over the Seattle Mariners in Game 7, attracting an impressive 9.03 million viewers, making it the most-watched ALCS game in eight years. The audience peaked at an astounding 12.35 million during the ninth inning, underscoring the game’s gripping conclusion.
In Japan, the impact of MLB is equally profound. Shohei Ohtani’s remarkable performance in Game 4, featuring three home runs and ten strikeouts, drew an average of 10.26 million viewers, marking it as the second most-watched LCS game in Japan’s history. The 16-hour time difference allowed Japanese fans to tune in Saturday morning, further boosting viewership.
The National League Championship Series (NLCS) has also seen success, averaging a record 7.34 million viewers in Japan—a 26% increase from the previous year. This surge is attributed to the growing popularity of stars like Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Roki Sasaki among Japanese audiences.
With the World Series approaching, MLB’s postseason viewership trends indicate a revitalized interest in baseball. As teams vie for the championship, fans worldwide are expected to remain glued to their screens, eager for every play.
As the postseason unfolds, expect continued updates on viewership figures and fan engagement, as MLB aims to capitalize on this momentum. Keep an eye on the ongoing matchups, as they promise to deliver even more thrilling games and record-breaking viewership.
Stay tuned for more updates as this exciting postseason develops!