The Seattle Mariners’ dramatic 15-inning victory over the Detroit Tigers in Game 5 of the American League Division Series drew massive audiences across FOX Sports networks, marking one of the most-watched LDS games in over a decade.
According to Nielsen data, 8,723,000 viewers tuned in across FOX, FOX Deportes, and FOX Sports streaming services for the marathon matchup. On FOX alone, the game averaged 8,590,000 viewers, making it the most-watched LDS game since Detroit eliminated New York in Game 5 of the 2011 LDS, which drew 9,723,000 viewers.
It also marked FOX’s best Friday night audience since Game 1 of the 2024 World Series, which attracted 14,306,000 viewers.
The Mariners’ win was a milestone not only on the field but also in the broadcast ratings. Across FOX, FS1, and FS2, 4,146,000 viewers watched the 2025 ALDS. This total represents the most-watched LDS across the FOX/FS1 platforms since FS1 began televising postseason baseball in 2014. Additionally, it is the largest LDS audience on any network since the 2015 National League Division Series between Chicago-St. Louis and New York-Los Angeles.
Compared with previous years, the 2025 ALDS performance shows significant growth.
Viewership is up 37% from last year’s ALDS, which averaged 3,017,000 viewers over nine games, and up 65% from the 2023 ALDS, which averaged 2,510,000 viewers over seven games. The jump reflects both heightened interest in the Mariners’ postseason run and broader engagement with baseball across streaming and traditional broadcast platforms.
The ratings success also underscores FOX’s growing presence in postseason baseball coverage. By combining traditional broadcasts with digital streaming options, the network has created multiple touchpoints for fans to engage with marquee matchups.
Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. To stay updated, sign up for our newsletters and get the latest information delivered straight to your inbox.
