MLB Postseason Ratings Surge to Highest Levels Since 2010

UPDATE: Major League Baseball (MLB) is experiencing its most-watched postseason in 15 years, with viewership averaging 4.33 million during the division series, according to recent data from MLB and Nielsen. This represents a staggering 30% increase compared to last year and marks the highest ratings since 2010.

The postseason excitement reached a peak last Friday when the 15-inning thriller between the Seattle Mariners and Detroit Tigers captivated audiences, drawing an impressive 8.72 million viewers across Fox, Fox Deportes, and streaming platforms. This game, which ended with a 3-2 victory for the Mariners in the decisive fifth game of the AL Division Series, is now the most-watched division round game on Fox since Detroit’s Game 5 win over the New York Yankees in 2011, which averaged 9.72 million viewers.

The two AL Division Series aired on Fox, FS1, and FS2 averaged 4.15 million viewers, marking the most-watched division round on any network since the NL Division Series on TBS featuring the Cubs and Cardinals and the Mets and Dodgers. The series between the Toronto Blue Jays and New York Yankees also drew significant attention, averaging 7.65 million viewers across the U.S. and Canada.

Overall, viewership for all four division series in the U.S. averaged 4.17 million, its highest since 2011 and reflecting a 17% increase from last year. In Canada, Blue Jays division series games averaged 3.65 million, which is a 10% increase from the team’s last ALDS appearance in 2016.

As the postseason continues, the first game of the AL Championship Series between Seattle and Toronto, held on Sunday, averaged 5.31 million viewers on Fox, Fox Deportes, and streaming. This is a remarkable 32% increase over last year’s Game 1 of the ALCS featuring Cleveland and the Yankees on TBS.

With these ratings surging, MLB is not only capturing the attention of devoted fans but also attracting new viewers, showcasing the postseason’s dramatic impact on baseball’s popularity. As the playoffs unfold, all eyes are on the remaining teams, with anticipation building for the upcoming matchups that promise to deliver even more thrilling moments and potential record-breaking viewership.

Stay tuned for the latest updates as MLB’s postseason continues to evolve, with fans eagerly awaiting the outcomes that will determine the next champions of baseball.