The Game One Numbers Are In For FOX

Thursday, October 23, 2008


Well, what everyone speculated beforehand about the potential ratings disaster of a Rays-Phils Series, is starting to come true. While the numbers weren't quite as bad as the lowest all-time (2006 Cardinals-Tigers), the viewers for Game One were down 12.7% from last year's 13-1 Red Sox blowout win over the Rockies. Via Sports Business Daily....

Fox earned a 10.3/17 overnight Nielsen rating for Game One of the Phillies-Rays World Series last night from 8:30pm-12:00am ET, down 12.7% from an 11.8/19 overnight for Rockies-Red Sox Game One last year, which also aired on a Wednesday night. The 10.3 is up 19.8% from an 8.6/15 overnight for the Saturday night Cardinals-Tigers Game One in ’06. The game and pregame combined to average a 9.9/16 in primetime and gave Fox the win for the night among all nets. CBS earned a 7.9/12, followed by ABC (4.7/7) and NBC (4.1/6). Last night's 9.9/16 in primetime also gave Fox its best night of primetime on any night since the MLB All-Star Game on July 15. Philadelphia topped all markets with a 35.7/53 and Tampa-St. Petersburg was second, posting a 31.9/49.
Wow....that's a lot of numbers there. I think the overall sense is that the numbers, while bad, aren't all THAT bad. Plus it was a competitive/close game and I'm sure most people who watched it thought it to be enjoyable. Now if the Phillies blow out the Rays in Game Two tonight, the sentiment might be a little different tomorrow. We shall see though.

Fox Earns 10.3/17 Overnight Rating For Phillies-Rays Game One (Sports Business Daily - $)

11 Comments:

Joe Buck likes dick.

Anonymous said...
Oct 23, 2008, 2:25:00 PM  
This comment has been removed by the author.
Oct 23, 2008, 2:31:00 PM  

Tough to compare a TB-PHI ratings number to one that involves Boston I think. I hope we get six more like last night minus the blown calls.

Anonymous said...
Oct 23, 2008, 2:46:00 PM  

Maybe they need to start the game even later then 8:45 p.m.

Rick Rottman said...
Oct 23, 2008, 2:49:00 PM  

bentcorner, your wish will be granted tonight.

GMoney said...
Oct 23, 2008, 5:32:00 PM  

Just like I thought somewhere in the middle....

I believe the TB citizens arent holding up their end as reports from the area indicated a high level of ambivalence amongst the regular joes when it comes to the Rays.

Here in Philly you cant drive 10 feet without seeing Phillies gear being sold at gas stations tents or worn by kids and adults alike.
Phillies fever has swept the region.

Anonymous said...
Oct 23, 2008, 6:19:00 PM  

Who cares about ratings? You people act like MLB is going to FOLD if they don't get high ratings.
If the NHL can survive nobody watching their product so can ANY sport.
I don't understand why rating are a topic at all. The fans and the players don't care. The only people that care are the Fox Suits and some media members.

Anonymous said...
Oct 23, 2008, 9:59:00 PM  

I refuse to be part of the flock, and watch a particular game/series/team just because I'm told I should. If Boston, the Yankees or Mets were playing, I wouldn't be anywhere near my TV, because I'm tired of having them shoved down my throat. As far as the ratings for the '06 Series go, who gives a fuck. I'm a Cardinals fan, and they won; that's all I care about.

Anonymous said...
Oct 24, 2008, 12:20:00 PM  

If you're only a fan of one team, and don't even care about the championship if that team isn't in it, then you're not a true fan of the game.

Anonymous said...
Oct 24, 2008, 2:27:00 PM  

The low ratings are - in part - the fault of Fox (and ESPN.) All season long we were force fed national games of Boston, New York, New York, Chicago and LA. Did the Rays appear every Saturday afternoon on Fox like Boston or New York? No. Did the Phillies appear every Sunday night on ESPN like New York or Chicago? No. Fox has helped make this bed, now it must sleep in its own proverbial mess.

Anonymous said...
Oct 24, 2008, 3:23:00 PM  

@rfc- good call. You reap what you sow...

Anonymous said...
Oct 24, 2008, 3:50:00 PM  

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