The World Series between the Texas Rangers and Arizona Diamondbacks has officially concluded as the least-watched “Fall Classic” on record. Game 5 of the matchup averaged 11.45 million viewers on FOX (11.6 million viewers across FOX platforms) and attained a 6.0 rating, the highest throughout the series.
The game was down 10% in viewership (12.77 million) and 13% in rating (6.9) year-over-year from the Houston Astros’ Game 5 matchup against the Philadelphia Phillies.
While the game came down to the wire and ended in a 3-2 Astros win, the matchup took place on a Thursday, thus airing at the same time as Thursday Night Football on Amazon Prime Video.
When taking all five games into account, the World Series had an average of 9.11 million viewers, a 23% decline year-over-year. It attained a 4.7 rating overall as well, contributing to the trend of the last four World Series matchups being the least-watched on record. Viewership data is courtesy of Nielsen Media Research and Sports Media Watch.
Game 2 broke the record for the least-watched World Series game on record with an average of 8.15 million viewers, and two nights later, Game 3 claimed the spot (8.13 million). Outside of the third game, which aired opposite Monday Night Football on ESPN and ABC, none of the World Series matchups competed with a National Football League prime-time game in the slot.
For the MLB postseason, ratings were down by 8% across FOX Sports, ESPN and TBS, averaging 4.45 million viewers. This occurred despite rule changes that led to record attendance, augmented offensive output and a hastened pace of play. Even so, audiences for the World Series were responsible for the largest draws on television on four of the five nights, with the third game being the exception.
As it pertains to individual marketplaces, Dallas-Fort Worth led designated market areas with a 20.3 rating and 51 share. The Phoenix locale finished second with a 16.0 rating and 43 share, followed by Austin and San Antonio in Texas. The World Series concluded with the Texas Rangers earning the first championship in the history of the organization, which will be celebrated in Arlington, Texas on Friday with a parade and ceremony.
