Dodgers vs. Blue Jays World Series Sets Record Ratings: Impact Explained
The recent World Series featuring the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Toronto Blue Jays has made waves in the world of sports broadcasting. This matchup, which showcased two teams with deep cultural connections to their respective nations, delivered astonishing viewership numbers.
Record Ratings for Dodgers vs. Blue Jays World Series
The deciding Game 7 of the World Series attracted a staggering 51 million viewers across the United States, Canada, and Japan. This makes it the most-watched MLB game since the 1991 World Series. The overall series averaged 34 million viewers, marking the largest global audience for the World Series since 1992.
Viewership Breakdown
- United States: Average of 16.1 million viewers per game.
- Canada: Series averaged 8.1 million viewers, with Game 7 being the most-watched English-language broadcast, aside from the 2010 Winter Olympics.
- Japan: Averaged 9.7 million viewers.
This year’s World Series featured a thrilling seven-game format, compared to five games last year. This increase in drama likely contributed to the higher ratings. Furthermore, the audience outside the United States reached record levels, even before final tallies from other countries were included.
Comparative Ratings vs. NBA Finals
For the third consecutive year, the World Series outperformed the NBA Finals in viewership ratings. This year, the World Series ratings were 56% higher than those of the NBA Finals, with the trend showing consistent growth over the last five out of six years.
Attendance Trends and Financial Impact
The upsurge in viewership also coincided with a fourth consecutive year of rising attendance at MLB games. However, current attendance levels still remain around 10% below the peak seen in 2007.
The Atlanta Braves reported a significant financial growth, with revenues reaching $671 million through September 30, an increase of 10% year-over-year. Their profits stood at $36 million, with considerable earnings from their nearby development, the Battery, which emphasizes the success of ticket sales.
Market Performance
Los Angeles topped U.S. television ratings during the World Series, followed closely by cities like San Diego, Seattle, St. Louis, and Milwaukee. Notably, potential future homes for the Athletics in Sacramento and Las Vegas also ranked among the top 10 markets.
The remarkable viewership of the Dodgers vs. Blue Jays World Series not only reflects the growing popularity of baseball globally but also highlights the importance of maintaining player engagement to avoid the risks associated with potential league lockouts in the future.
