World Series television ratings

Summary of Nielsen ratings for World Series broadcast on television
Shea Stadium, venue of one of the highest-rated and most-watched individual games, Game 7 of the 1986 World Series.

Audience measurement by Nielsen Media Research, commonly referred to as Nielsen ratings, has provided World Series television ratings since at least 1963.[1][a] Key measurements are ratings, the percentage of all U.S. television-equipped households that watched a game, share, the percentage of television sets in use that were tuned to a game, and total viewers (or viewership), the average number of people watching a game throughout its duration.[4]

The highest ratings for an entire World Series is tied between 1978, featuring the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers, and 1980, featuring the Philadelphia Phillies and Kansas City Royals. Both series went six games and averaged a rating of 32.8 and a share of 56.[5] Average viewership was slightly larger in 1978 (44,278,950) than in 1980 (42,300,000).[5]

The lowest ratings for an entire World Series was in 2023, a five-game series won by the Texas Rangers over the Arizona Diamondbacks, which averaged a 4.7 rating with a 14 share; it also had the lowest average viewership, at 9.082 million. Previously, the 2020 series in which the Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Tampa Bay Rays in six games was the least watched, averaging a 5.2 rating and a 12 share.

The highest-rated individual game in World Series history was Game 6 in 1980, when the Philadelphia Phillies defeated the Kansas City Royals; the game had a 40.0 rating.[5][6] The only other games with a rating of 39 or higher were Game 7 in 1975, when the Cincinnati Reds defeated the Boston Red Sox, with a 39.6 rating,[5] and Game 4 in 1963, when the Los Angeles Dodgers swept the New York Yankees, with a 39.5 rating.[6][1] The most-viewed game was Game 7 in 1986, when the New York Mets defeated the Boston Red Sox;[7] with a rating of 38.9,[5] its viewership is estimated at 55 to 60 million.[8][b]

The lowest-rated individual game was Game 2 in 2023, which had a 4.0 rating.[9] Though the game did not have the smallest viewership in World Series history, that mark belongs to Game 3 in 2023 at 8.126 million. That game had a 4.2 rating.[10] The previous least viewed game was Game 2 in 2023, which had 8.153 million viewers.[9] Prior to 2020, the only World Series game with less than 10 million viewers had been Game 3 in 2008,[11] which was impacted by a rain delay and had 9.836 million viewers.[12]

The most recent World Series game to record a rating of 30 or higher was Game 7 in 1991, as the Minnesota Twins defeated the Atlanta Braves; the game had a viewership of 50.340 million.[5] Game 7 in 2016 between the Chicago Cubs and Cleveland Indians had an average viewership of 40.045 million—the most-watched World Series game in 25 years dating back to 1991[13]—and peaked at 49.9 million viewers, and Fox estimated more than 75 million people watched all or part of the game.[14]

All four major U.S. broadcast television networks (ABC, CBS, NBC, and Fox) have broadcast the World Series. Fox has been the exclusive broadcast network for the World Series since 2000, and has a contract with MLB to carry the World Series through 2028.[15]

Viewership/rating by year

The graph below shows the average rating (in percentage) and average number of viewers (in millions) for each World Series since 1973; older Nielsen records lack average viewer counts.[5][16] For example, the 1973 World Series (the leftmost data points) had an average rating of 30.7 (percentage of all U.S. television-equipped households that watched) and an average viewership of 34.8 (million viewers). This chart shows trending over time; specific figures are available in the television ratings by year section.

Graphs are unavailable due to technical issues. There is more info on Phabricator and on MediaWiki.org.

Least and most viewed World Series

These tables list the World Series with the smallest and largest average viewership (figures in millions) since 1973.[5][16][17]

Least viewed
Rank  Year   Average  Games
1 2023  9.082 M 5
2 2020  9.785 M 6
3 2021 11.744 M 6
4 2022 11.762 M 6
5 2012 12.636 M 4
Most viewed
Rank  Year   Average  Games
1 1978 44.279 M 6
2 1980 42.300 M 6
3 1981 41.370 M 6
4 1982 38.070 M 7
5 1979 37.960 M 7
Yankee Stadium, site of three games of the 1978 World Series.

Viewership records

The following table shows the viewership (figures in millions) records—both largest and smallest—for games one through seven in a World Series since 1973.[5][16][18]

  Average Game 1 Game 2 Game 3 Game 4 Game 5 Game 6 Game 7
Highest 44.279 M (1978) 43.510 M (1978) 42.990 M (1980) 43.810 M (1978) 39.220 M (1978) 48.990 M (1982) 54.860 M (1980) 55–60 M (1986)
Lowest 9.082 M (2023) 9.172 M (2023) 8.153 M (2023) 8.126 M (2023) 8.480 M (2023) 10.059 M (2020) 12.549 M (2022) 23.013 M (2019)

Television ratings by year

Figures are expressed as ratings/share. Ratings represent the percentage of U.S. households that watched the game on television. Share represents the percentage of television sets in use that were tuned to the game.

Key to colors
     Most viewers for each Game (1 through 7) or Average
     Fewest viewers for each Game (1 through 7) or Average
Year Network Results Average Game 1 Game 2 Game 3 Game 4 Game 5 Game 6 Game 7
2023 Fox Texas Rangers 4,
Arizona Diamondbacks 1 		4.7/14
(9.082 M
viewers) 		4.6/15
(9.172 M
viewers)[19] 		4.0/12
(8.153 M
viewers)[20] 		4.2/11
(8.126 M
viewers)[10] 		4.5/13
(8.480 M
viewers)[21] 		6.0/17
(11.481 M
viewers)[22] 		No Game
2022 Fox Houston Astros 4,
Philadelphia Phillies 2 		6.108
(11.762 M
viewers) 		5.69
(11.475 M
viewers)[23] 		5.34
(10.789 M
viewers)[24] 		6.11
(11.162 M
viewers)[25] 		6.48
(11.809 M
viewers) 		6.92
(12.786 M
viewers) 		6.11
(12.549 M
viewers) 		No Game
2021 Fox Atlanta Braves 4,
Houston Astros 2 		6.5/16
(11.744 M
viewers) 		6.1
(10.811 M viewers)[26] 		5.8
(10.280 M viewers)[27] 		6.1
(11.232 M viewers)[28] 		5.65
(10.511 M viewers)[29] 		7.4
(13.644 M viewers)[29] 		7.9
(14.140 M viewers)[19] 		No Game
2020 Fox Los Angeles Dodgers 4,
Tampa Bay Rays 2 		5.2/12
(9.785 M
viewers) 		5.1/11
(9.353 M
viewers)[19] 		5.0/11
(9.184 M
viewers)[19] 		4.3/10
(8.156 M
viewers)[30] 		4.8/12
(9.332 M
viewers)[31] 		5.3/11
(10.059 M
viewers)[32] 		6.8/15
(12.819 M
viewers)[19] 		No Game
2019 Fox Washington Nationals 4,
Houston Astros 3 		8.1/16
(13.912 M
viewers)[33] 		7.3/15
(12.194 M
viewers)[34] 		7.1/15
(11.925 M
viewers)[35] 		7.1/15
(12.220 M
viewers)[36] 		5.9/13
(10.219 M
viewers)[37] 		6.5/12
(11.390 M
viewers)[38] 		9.6/19
(16.425 M
viewers)[39] 		13.1/25
(23.013 M
viewers)[40]
2018 Fox Boston Red Sox 4,
Los Angeles Dodgers 1 		8.3/17
(14.125 M
viewers)[41] 		8.2/16
(13.761 M
viewers)[42] 		8.1/15
(13.458 M
viewers)[43] 		7.9/18
(13.251 M
viewers)[44] 		7.9/16
(13.563 M
viewers)[45] 		10.0/18
(17.634 M
viewers)[46] 		No Game
2017 Fox Houston Astros 4,
Los Angeles Dodgers 3 		10.7/20
(18.926 M
viewers)[41] 		8.7[47]/15
(14.968 M
viewers)[48] 		9.2[49]/18
(15.483 M
viewers)[50] 		8.8[51]/17
(15.676 M
viewers)[52] 		8.7[53]/17
(15.400 M
viewers)[54] 		10.5[55]/21
(18.940 M
viewers)[56] 		12.6[57]/23
(22.229 M
viewers)[58] 		15.8[59]/28
(28.240 M
viewers)[60]
2016 Fox Chicago Cubs 4,
Cleveland Indians 3 		12.9/22
(22.847 M
viewers)[61] 		11.3[62]/20
(19.368 M
viewers)[63] 		10.2[64]/18
(17.395 M
viewers)[65] 		11.0[66]/20
(19.384 M
viewers)[67] 		9.3[68]/18
(16.705 M
viewers)[69] 		13.1[70]/21
(23.638 M
viewers)[71] 		13.3[72]/23
(23.396 M
viewers)[73] 		21.8[74]/37
(40.045 M
viewers)[75]
2015 Fox Kansas City Royals 4,
New York Mets 1 		8.6/16
(14.533 M
viewers)[61] 		9.0/17
(14.944 M
viewers) 		8.3/14
(13.722 M
viewers) 		7.9/15
(13.205 M
viewers) 		7.8/15
(13.587 M
viewers) 		10.0/17
(17.206 M
viewers) 		No Game
2014 Fox San Francisco Giants 4,
Kansas City Royals 3 		8.2/14
(13.930 M
viewers)[61] 		7.3/12
(12.191 M
viewers) 		7.9/14
(12.917 M
viewers) 		7.2/13
(12.133 M
viewers) 		6.3/12
(10.742 M
viewers) 		7.3/12
(12.635 M
viewers) 		8.1/13
(13.372 M
viewers) 		13.7/23
(23.517 M
viewers)
2013 Fox Boston Red Sox 4,
St. Louis Cardinals 2 		8.9/15
(14.984 M
viewers)[61] 		8.6/14
(14.400 M
viewers) 		8.3/13
(13.429 M
viewers) 		7.4/14
(12.473 M
viewers) 		9.4/15
(15.975 M
viewers) 		8.9/14
(14.446 M
viewers) 		11.3/18
(19.178 M
viewers) 		No Game
2012 Fox San Francisco Giants 4,
Detroit Tigers 0 		7.6/12
(12.636 M
viewers)[61] 		7.6/12
(12.240 M
viewers) 		7.8/12
(12.340 M
viewers) 		6.1/11
(10.471 M
viewers) 		8.9/14
(15.485 M
viewers) 		No Game
2011 Fox St. Louis Cardinals 4,
Texas Rangers 3 		10.0/16
(16.521 M
viewers)[61] 		8.7/14
(14.174 M
viewers) 		8.9/14
(14.280 M
viewers) 		6.6/12
(11.247 M
viewers) 		9.2/14
(15.156 M
viewers) 		8.8/14
(14.324 M
viewers) 		12.7/21
(21.065 M
viewers) 		14.7/25
(25.403 M
viewers)
2010 Fox San Francisco Giants 4,
Texas Rangers 1 		8.4/14
(14.217 M
viewers)[61] 		8.9/15
(15.009 M
viewers) 		8.5/14
(14.130 M
viewers) 		6.7/13
(11.460 M
viewers) 		9.0/15
(15.537 M
viewers) 		8.8/14
(14.950 M
viewers) 		No Game
2009 Fox New York Yankees 4,
Philadelphia Phillies 2 		11.7/19
(19.334 M
viewers)[61] 		11.9/19
(19.511 M
viewers) 		11.7/19
(18.897 M
viewers) 		9.1/18
(15.397 M
viewers) 		13.5/22
(22.761 M
viewers) 		10.6/16
(17.092 M
viewers) 		13.4/22
(22.339 M
viewers) 		No Game
2008 Fox Philadelphia Phillies 4,
Tampa Bay Rays 1 		8.4/14
(13.193 M
viewers)[61] 		9.2/15
(14.634 M
viewers) 		8.1/13
(12.777 M
viewers) 		6.1/13
(9.836 M
viewers) 		9.3/15
(15.479 M
viewers) 		9.6/14
(15.787 M
viewers) 		No Game
2007 Fox Boston Red Sox 4,
Colorado Rockies 0 		10.6/18
(17.123 M
viewers)[61] 		10.5/18
(16.897 M
viewers) 		11.1/18
(16.950 M
viewers) 		8.5/16
(14.055 M
viewers) 		12.6/21
(20.946 M
viewers) 		No Game
2006 Fox St. Louis Cardinals 4,
Detroit Tigers 1 		10.1/17
(15.812 M
viewers)[61] 		8.0/15
(12.840 M
viewers) 		11.6/18
(18.165 M
viewers) 		10.2/17
(15.582 M
viewers) 		10.4/18
(16.113 M
viewers) 		10.3/18
(16.277 M
viewers) 		No Game
2005 Fox Chicago White Sox 4,
Houston Astros 0 		11.1/19
(17.162 M
viewers) 		9.5/17
(15.015 M
viewers) 		11.1/17
(17.190 M
viewers) 		11.0/21
(16.652 M
viewers) 		13.0/21
(19.979 M
viewers) 		No Game
2004 Fox Boston Red Sox 4,
St. Louis Cardinals 0 		15.8/26
(25.390 M
viewers) 		13.7/25
(23.168 M
viewers) 		15.9/24
(25.463 M
viewers) 		15.7/24
(24.422 M
viewers) 		18.2/28
(28.844 M
viewers) 		No Game
2003 Fox Florida Marlins 4,
New York Yankees 2 		12.8/22
(20.143 M
viewers) 		10.9/20
(17.687 M
viewers) 		12.6/20
(20.552 M
viewers) 		12.5/21
(18.889 M
viewers) 		13.6/23
(20.885 M
viewers) 		13.2/21
(19.919 M
viewers) 		13.9/25
(23.240 M
viewers) 		No Game
2002 Fox Anaheim Angels 4,
San Francisco Giants 3 		11.9/20
(19.261 M
viewers) 		9.4/18
(15.457 M
viewers) 		11.9/20
(19.368 M
viewers) 		10.8/18
(17.043 M
viewers) 		11.8/19
(18.085 M
viewers) 		10.0/17
(15.840 M
viewers) 		11.8/21
(19.221 M
viewers) 		17.9/28
(30.814 M
viewers)
2001 Fox Arizona Diamondbacks 4,
New York Yankees 3 		15.7/26
(24.528 M
viewers) 		10.4/19
(16.476 M
viewers) 		15.0/23
(23.550 M
viewers) 		15.4/24
(23.407 M
viewers) 		15.8/27
(23.692 M
viewers) 		14.4/24
(21.323 M
viewers) 		13.8/24
(22.672 M
viewers) 		23.5/34
(39.084 M
viewers)
2000 Fox New York Yankees 4,
New York Mets 1 		12.4/21
(18.081 M
viewers) 		11.5/22
(17.556 M
viewers) 		12.6/20
(19.045 M
viewers) 		12.4/21
(17.453 M
viewers) 		12.5/21
(17.611 M
viewers) 		13.1/21
(18.927 M
viewers) 		No Game
1999 NBC New York Yankees 4,
Atlanta Braves 0 		16.0/26
(23.731 M
viewers) 		14.2/26
(22.035 M
viewers) 		15.0/23
(22.825 M
viewers) 		16.8/27
(24.116 M
viewers) 		17.8/29
(25.848 M
viewers) 		No Game
1998 Fox New York Yankees 4,
San Diego Padres 0 		14.1/24
(20.340 M
viewers) 		12.4/23
(18.740 M
viewers) 		12.6/20
(17.860 M
viewers) 		15.4/25
(21.970 M
viewers) 		16.6/27
(23.390 M
viewers) 		No Game
1997 NBC Florida Marlins 4,
Cleveland Indians 3 		16.7/29
(24.790 M
viewers) 		11.3/22
(16.810 M
viewers) 		15.0/24
(22.460 M
viewers) 		15.6/27
(22.190 M
viewers) 		15.5/26
(22.070 M
viewers) 		17.2/30
(24.200 M
viewers) 		15.5/28
(23.740 M
viewers) 		24.5/39
(37.990 M
viewers)
1996 Fox New York Yankees 4,
Atlanta Braves 2 		17.4/29
(25.220 M
viewers) 		15.7/25
(23.690 M
viewers) 		14.0/23
(19.430 M
viewers) 		17.5/28
(23.990 M
viewers) 		17.9/32
(25.160 M
viewers) 		20.0/32
(28.520 M
viewers) 		19.1/34
(30.440 M
viewers) 		No Game
1995 ABC Atlanta Braves 4,
Cleveland Indians 2 		19.5/33
(28.970 M
viewers) 		16.4/30
(25.150 M
viewers) 		  20.0/33
(28.670 M
viewers) 		21.6/34
(31.710 M
viewers) 		  No Game
NBC   19.4/31
(29.350 M
viewers) 		20.0/34
(28.720 M
viewers) 		  19.5/35
(30.280 M
viewers)
1994 Canceled due to the MLB strike
1993 CBS Toronto Blue Jays 4,
Philadelphia Phillies 2 		17.3/30
(24.700 M
viewers) 		15.5/29
(23.100 M
viewers) 		17.9/29
(25.200 M
viewers) 		15.2/28
(20.570 M
viewers) 		18.0/31
(24.590 M
viewers) 		18.4/30
(26.110 M
viewers) 		19.1/35
(29.050 M
viewers) 		No Game
1992 CBS Toronto Blue Jays 4,
Atlanta Braves 2 		20.2/34
(30.010 M
viewers) 		15.6/28
(25.020 M
viewers) 		20.2/32
(29.590 M
viewers) 		20.8/33
(29.980 M
viewers) 		18.9/30
(26.410 M
viewers) 		21.6/36
(31.230 M
viewers) 		22.7/41
(35.000 M
viewers) 		No Game
1991 CBS Minnesota Twins 4,
Atlanta Braves 3 		24.0/39
(35.680 M
viewers) 		17.6/32
(26.310 M
viewers) 		21.7/34
(30.840 M
viewers) 		23.5/39
(33.170 M
viewers) 		22.9/36
(32.100 M
viewers) 		22.9/37
(33.180 M
viewers) 		25.4/44
(40.830 M
viewers) 		32.2/49
(50.340 M
viewers)
1990 CBS Cincinnati Reds 4,
Oakland Athletics 0 		20.8/36
(30.240 M
viewers) 		20.2/32
(28.600 M
viewers) 		21.8/37
(30.570 M
viewers) 		19.4/35
(28.720 M
viewers) 		21.4/38
(32.910 M
viewers) 		No Game
1989 ABC Oakland Athletics 4,
San Francisco Giants 0 		16.4/29
(24.550 M
viewers) 		16.2/30
(25.030 M
viewers) 		17.4/28
(25.410 M
viewers) 		17.5/32
(26.610 M
viewers) 		14.7/28
(21.640 M
viewers) 		No Game
1988 NBC Los Angeles Dodgers 4,
Oakland Athletics 1 		23.9/39
(34.490 M
viewers) 		20.5/38
(30.350 M
viewers) 		23.1/36
(34.700 M
viewers) 		24.8/40
(34.990 M
viewers) 		24.2/39
(33.960 M
viewers) 		27.0/43
(38.800 M
viewers) 		No Game
1987 ABC Minnesota Twins 4,
St. Louis Cardinals 3 		24.0/41
(35.340 M
viewers) 		19.2/35
(30.570 M
viewers) 		21.9/34
(33.660 M
viewers) 		24.9/40
(34.990 M
viewers) 		23.8/38
(34.040 M
viewers) 		23.4/38
(32.550 M
viewers) 		20.9/47
(29.090 M
viewers) 		32.6/50
(51.180 M
viewers)
1986 NBC New York Mets 4,
Boston Red Sox 3 		28.6/46
(36.370 M
viewers) 		24.2/42
(33.100 M
viewers) 		25.5/41
(32.340 M
viewers) 		25.6/40
(33.200 M
viewers) 		26.0/41
(34.490 M
viewers) 		29.8/47
(38.710 M
viewers) 		30.3/52
(44.510 M
viewers) 		38.9/55
(55–60 M
viewers)[8]
1985 ABC Kansas City Royals 4,
St. Louis Cardinals 3 		25.3/39
(34.510 M
viewers) 		22.1/37
(31.510 M
viewers) 		23.2/35
(31.770 M
viewers) 		25.4/38
(32.800 M
viewers) 		24.8/38
(35.040 M
viewers) 		24.9/38
(30.950 M
viewers) 		24.2/41
(34.860 M
viewers) 		32.6/47
(45.000 M
viewers)
1984 NBC Detroit Tigers 4,
San Diego Padres 1 		22.9/40
(28.010 M
viewers) 		27.7/44
(33.860 M
viewers) 		26.0/40
(32.010 M
viewers) 		21.5/35
(26.810 M
viewers) 		15.0/41
(18.020 M
viewers) 		22.7/42
(28.580 M
viewers) 		No Game
1983 ABC Baltimore Orioles 4,
Philadelphia Phillies 1 		23.4/41
(29.540 M
viewers) 		27.7/41
(36.230 M
viewers) 		26.8/40
(34.550 M
viewers) 		23.9/40
(30.120 M
viewers) 		17.6/47
(20.260 M
viewers) 		21.0/39
(26.950 M
viewers) 		No Game
1982 NBC St. Louis Cardinals 4,
Milwaukee Brewers 3 		27.9/49
(38.070 M
viewers) 		27.9/42
(37.460 M
viewers) 		29.1/45
(37.700 M
viewers) 		25.0/41
(32.890 M
viewers) 		21.0/56
(26.210 M
viewers) 		30.4/57
(48.990 M
viewers) 		24.0/44
(32.350 M
viewers) 		38.2/56
(49.930 M
viewers)
1981 ABC Los Angeles Dodgers 4,
New York Yankees 2 		30.0/49
(41.370 M
viewers) 		29.9/46
(39.720 M
viewers) 		28.8/44
(39.110 M
viewers) 		29.0/47
(40.140 M
viewers) 		28.4/57
(37.970 M
viewers) 		26.4/45
(39.110 M
viewers) 		37.2/54
(n.a.
viewers) 		No Game
1980 NBC Philadelphia Phillies 4,
Kansas City Royals 2 		32.8/56
(42.300 M
viewers) 		33.5/52
(42.040 M
viewers) 		34.4/53
(42.990 M
viewers) 		32.0/53
(39.170 M
viewers) 		23.9/60
(29.320 M
viewers) 		32.0/60
(45.460 M
viewers) 		40.0/60
(54.860 M
viewers) 		No Game
1979 ABC Pittsburgh Pirates 4,
Baltimore Orioles 3 		28.5/50
(37.960 M
viewers) 		28.2/46
(38.140 M
viewers) 		29.6/48
(36.320 M
viewers) 		22.5/39
(31.420 M
viewers) 		23.5/63
(27.210 M
viewers) 		26.2/53
(39.090 M
viewers) 		32.5/48
(43.640 M
viewers) 		36.9/56
(49.890 M
viewers)
1978 NBC New York Yankees 4,
Los Angeles Dodgers 2 		32.8/56
(44.279 M
viewers) 		33.1/51
(43.510 M
viewers) 		32.2/50
(42.720 M
viewers) 		33.0/54
(43.810 M
viewers) 		30.1/65
(39.220 M
viewers) 		32.6/60
(45.870 M
viewers) 		35.9/54
(50.600 M
viewers) 		No Game
1977 ABC New York Yankees 4,
Los Angeles Dodgers 2 		29.8/53
(37.150 M
viewers) 		30.3/50
(36.960 M
viewers) 		30.5/49
(35.880 M
viewers) 		30.2/51
(37.410 M
viewers) 		27.2/64
(31.460 M
viewers) 		26.6/52
(37.010 M
viewers) 		33.9/50
(44.200 M
viewers) 		No Game
1976 NBC Cincinnati Reds 4,
New York Yankees 0 		27.5/48
(34.720 M
viewers) 		20.3/58
(23.730 M
viewers) 		29.4/43
(n.a.
viewers) 		29.8/44
(36.250 M
viewers) 		30.5/48
(38.790 M
viewers) 		No Game
1975 NBC Cincinnati Reds 4,
Boston Red Sox 3 		28.7/52
(35.960 M
viewers) 		20.0/58
(20.990 M
viewers) 		20.1/53
(24.320 M
viewers) 		28.9/47
(37.910 M
viewers) 		28.0/46
(34.640 M
viewers) 		30.9/48
(40.710 M
viewers) 		33.3/55
(41.570 M
viewers) 		39.6/60
(51.560 M
viewers)
1974 NBC Oakland Athletics 4,
Los Angeles Dodgers 1 		25.6/46
(29.080 M
viewers) 		23.4/55
(23.750 M
viewers) 		25.7/52
(30.470 M
viewers) 		26.5/41
(29.830 M
viewers) 		25.4/39
(29.760 M
viewers) 		27.2/42
(31.610 M
viewers) 		No Game
1973 NBC Oakland Athletics 4,
New York Mets 3 		30.7/57
(34.750 M
viewers) 		26.4/60
(27.444 M
viewers) 		28.8/55
(35.661 M
viewers) 		33.6/52
(38.030 M
viewers) 		32.2/50
(36.670 M
viewers) 		32.6/50
(37.364 M
viewers) 		27.7/67
(28.610 M
viewers) 		33.7/67
(39.935 M
viewers)
1972 NBC Oakland Athletics 4,
Cincinnati Reds 3 		27.6/58
(n.a.
viewers) 		21.2/60
(22.534 M
viewers) 		23.3/57
(27.331 M
viewers) 		33.6/49
(37.880 M
viewers) 		33.5/50
(38.210 M
viewers) 		22.3/56
(23.120 M
viewers) 		26.5/63
(30.048 M
viewers) 		32.8/71
(41.438 M
viewers)
1971 NBC Pittsburgh Pirates 4,
Baltimore Orioles 3 		24.2/59
(n.a.
viewers) 		21.8/58
(24.778 M
viewers) 		16.5/51
(13.633 M
viewers) 		16.5/51
(13.633 M
viewers) 		34.8/54
(38.898 M
viewers) 		16.5/51
(13.633 M
viewers) 		28.1/72
(28.095 M
viewers) 		34.2/72
(37.420 M
viewers)
1970 NBC Baltimore Orioles 4,
Cincinnati Reds 1 		19.4/53
(n.a.
viewers) 		23.5/58
(14.120 M
viewers) 		22.3/55
(13.400 M
viewers) 		17.2/51
(10.340 M
viewers) 		17.2/51
(10.340 M
viewers) 		17.2/51
(10.340 M
viewers) 		No Game
1969 NBC New York Mets 4,
Baltimore Orioles 1 		22.4/58
(n.a.
viewers) 		25.5/64
(14.920 M
viewers) 		29.2/63
(17.080 M
viewers) 		19.3/54
(11.290 M
viewers) 		19.3/54
(11.290 M
viewers) 		19.3/54
(11.290 M
viewers) 		No Game
1968 NBC Detroit Tigers 4,
St. Louis Cardinals 3 		22.8/57
(n.a.
viewers) 		20.4/53
(n.a.
viewers) 		20.4/53
(n.a.
viewers) 		26.5/68
(24.780 M
viewers) 		26.4/61
(27.542M
viewers) 		21.2/54
(n.a.
viewers) 		21.2/54
(n.a.
viewers) 		21.2/54
(n.a.
viewers)
Year Net. Results Average Game 1 Game 2 Game 3 Game 4 Game 5 Game 6 Game 7

Source: 1968 through 2007 figures are per Nielsen documents;[5][16] more recent years per inline citations.

See also

Notes

  1. ^ The first World Series broadcast on television was in 1947 between the New York Yankees and Brooklyn Dodgers, carried regionally in the New York City area.[2][3]
  2. ^ Nielsen records do not list a viewership figure for this game.[5]

References

  1. ^ a b Young, Dick (January 31, 1964). "Young Ideas". Daily News. New York City. p. 57. Retrieved November 4, 2019 – via newspapers.com.
  2. ^ Gross, Ben (September 27, 1947). "Listening In". Daily News. New York City. p. 16. Retrieved November 3, 2019 – via newspapers.com.
  3. ^ "100 See Series Here Over Television". The Tribune. Scranton, Pennsylvania. October 1, 1947. p. 3. Retrieved November 3, 2019 – via newspapers.com.
  4. ^ Porter, Rick (October 5, 2019). "TV Long View: A Guide to the Ever-Expanding World of Ratings Data". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved November 3, 2019.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "World Series Through 2007 Game by Game". Nielsen Media Research. 2007. Archived from the original on 2008-10-27. Retrieved November 3, 2019 – via Wayback Machine.
  6. ^ a b Quinn, Dan (October 30, 1986). "World Series came out big winner over NFL". The Journal News. White Plains, New York. p. 42. Retrieved November 3, 2019 – via newspapers.com.
  7. ^ "Game 7 breaks audience mark". The Advocate. Newark, Ohio. AP. October 30, 1986. p. 15. Retrieved November 3, 2019 – via newspapers.com.
  8. ^ a b Bonesteel, Matt (November 3, 2016). "Cursed teams make for good TV: World Series Game 7 scores boffo ratings". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 3, 2019.
  9. ^ a b Lewis, Jon (October 31, 2023). "World Series scores lowest rating ever in Game 2". sportsmediawatch.com. Retrieved October 31, 2023.
  10. ^ a b Pucci, Douglas (October 31, 2023). "Monday Ratings: NFL 'Monday Night Football' on ABC and ESPN Unsurprisingly Tops MLB World Series Game Three on Fox". Programming Insider. Retrieved October 31, 2023.
  11. ^ Young, Jabari (October 21, 2020). "Dodgers-Rays game one had the lowest TV ratings ever for a World Series game". CNBC. Retrieved October 21, 2020.
  12. ^ Newman, Mark (October 25, 2008). "Rain doesn't dampen enthusiasm". MLB.com. Archived from the original on October 27, 2008. Retrieved October 25, 2008.
  13. ^ "World Series Game 7 Averages Over 40 Million Viewers – Fox Sports PressPass". Retrieved 22 March 2017.
  14. ^ World Series Game 7 Averages Over 40 Million Viewers
  15. ^ "Fox Sports and Major League Baseball Extend Rights Deal Through 2028". The Hollywood Reporter. 2018-11-15. Archived from the original on 2021-04-17.
  16. ^ a b c d "MLB World Series". Nielsen Media Research. 2007. Archived from the original on 2008-10-27. Retrieved November 3, 2019 – via Wayback Machine.
  17. ^ "World Series TV ratings average drops 32 percent below previous low". Boston.com. AP. October 28, 2020. Retrieved October 29, 2020.
  18. ^ Young, Jabari (October 21, 2020). "Dodgers-Rays game one had the lowest TV ratings ever for a World Series game". CNBC. Retrieved October 21, 2020.
  19. ^ a b c d e Paulsen (October 27, 2020). "World Series ratings". sportsmediawatch.com. Retrieved February 1, 2023.
  20. ^ Pucci, Douglas (October 31, 2023). "Saturday Ratings: Fox Leads with MLB World Series Game Two, NBC Close Runner-Up with Big Ten Football". Programming Insider. Retrieved October 31, 2023.
  21. ^ Pucci, Douglas (November 1, 2023). "Tuesday Ratings: Fox Scares Up Halloween Victory Despite Limited MLB World Series Viewership Read". Programming Insider. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
  22. ^ Pucci, Douglas (November 2, 2023). "Wednesday Ratings: Fox Wins as Texas Rangers Earn Their First-Ever MLB World Series Title". Programming Insider. Retrieved November 2, 2023.
  23. ^ Paulsen (October 28, 2022). "World Series opener posts uptick, if still on the low side". sportsmediawatch.com. Retrieved November 8, 2022.
  24. ^ Paulsen (October 31, 2022). "World Series posts another slight bump in Game 2". sportsmediawatch.com. Retrieved November 8, 2022.
  25. ^ Paulsen (November 2, 2022). "Another mixed result for the World Series". sportsmediawatch.com. Retrieved November 10, 2022.
  26. ^ Paulsen (October 27, 2021). "World Series opener low for Fall Classic, not bad by current standards". sportsmediawatch.com. Retrieved November 1, 2021.
  27. ^ Paulsen (October 28, 2021). "World Series up again, low again, in Game 2". sportsmediawatch.com. Retrieved November 1, 2021.
  28. ^ Paulsen (November 1, 2021). "World Series tops 11 million mark in Game 3". sportmediawtch.com. Retrieved November 1, 2021.
  29. ^ a b Paulsen (2021-11-02). "Games 4 and 5 of World Series average more viewers than in 2019". sportsmediawatch.com. Retrieved November 2, 2021.
  30. ^ Pucci, Douglas (October 26, 2020). "Friday Final Ratings: Fox Rules Prime Time in All Key Figure Despite All-Time Low for MLB World Series Game Three". programminginsider.com. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
  31. ^ Pucci, Douglas (October 29, 2020). "Saturday Final Ratings: 'SNL' on NBC Rises from Recent Two Weeks with Adele as Host". programminginsider.com. Retrieved October 29, 2020.
  32. ^ Pucci, Douglas (October 29, 2020). "Sunday Final Ratings: Presidential Candidates Lift '60 Minutes' on CBS to Two-Year Viewer High". programminginsider.com. Retrieved October 29, 2020.
  33. ^ Paulsen (October 31, 2019). "Game 7 helps World Series avoid all-time lows". sportsmediawatch.com. Retrieved October 31, 2019.
  34. ^ Pucci, Douglas (October 23, 2019). "Tuesday Final Ratings: Fox Wins Prime Time by Large Margin Despite Nationals-Astros Game One Earning Five-Year Low for a World Series Telecast". programminginsider.com. Retrieved October 23, 2019.
  35. ^ Pucci, Douglas (October 25, 2019). "Wednesday Final Ratings: Tyler Perry's 'The Oval' and 'Sistas' on BET Off to Decent Starts". programminginsider.com. Retrieved October 25, 2019.
  36. ^ Pucci, Douglas (October 29, 2019). "Friday Final Ratings: Astros-Nationals Delivers Least-Watched World Series Game Three in Five Years". programminginsider.com. Retrieved October 29, 2019.
  37. ^ Pucci, Douglas (October 29, 2019). "Saturday Final Ratings: Astros-Nationals Game 4 Posts Lowest-Rated World Series Telecast Among Households To-Date". programminginsider.com. Retrieved November 2, 2019.
  38. ^ Pucci, Douglas (October 30, 2019). "Sunday Final Ratings: Packers-Chiefs on NBC's 'Sunday Night Football' More Than Doubles the Adults 18-49 of Astros-Nationals World Series Game Five on Fox". programminginsider.com. Retrieved October 30, 2019.
  39. ^ Pucci, Douglas (October 30, 2019). "Tuesday Final Ratings: World Series on Fox Picks Up Considerable Steam with Nationals-Astros Game Six". programminginsider.com. Retrieved October 30, 2019.
  40. ^ Pucci, Douglas (October 31, 2019). "Wednesday Final Ratings: Nearly 24 Million Viewers for World Series Game Seven Across All Fox Platforms". programminginsider.com. Retrieved October 31, 2019.
  41. ^ a b "World Series 4th-least-watched, averaging 14.1M viewers". Boston Herald. AP. October 30, 2018. Retrieved October 31, 2018.
  42. ^ Pucci, Douglas (October 24, 2018). "Tuesday Final Ratings: Dodgers-Red Sox Draw Four-Year Low for a World Series Game One on Fox". programminginsider.com. Retrieved October 24, 2018.
  43. ^ Pucci, Douglas (October 25, 2018). "Wednesday Final Ratings: World Series on Fox at Four-Year Low Through Two Games". programminginsider.com. Retrieved October 25, 2018.
  44. ^ Pucci, Douglas (October 29, 2018). "Friday Final Ratings: 18-Inning World Series Game Three Helps Fox Quadruple the Runner-Up Network Among Adults 18-49". programminginsider.com. Retrieved October 29, 2018.
  45. ^ Pucci, Douglas (October 30, 2018). "Saturday Final Ratings: Fox, with World Series Game Four, More Than Triples Runner-Up ABC Among Adults 18-49". programminginsider.com. Retrieved November 1, 2018.
  46. ^ Pucci, Douglas (October 30, 2018). "Sunday Final Ratings: World Series Game Five on Fox Bests Competing 'Sunday Night Football' NBC Telecast for Third Straight Year". programminginsider.com. Retrieved October 30, 2018.
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External links

  • Game-by-game ratings (1968–2007) spreadsheet via Wayback Machine
  • Average viewership (1973–2007) spreadsheet via Wayback Machine
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