It's official: Lowest-rated World Series ever

The ratings are in, and the pundits were right.

Sort of.

The average TV rating for the World Series was, as many snarky sports columnists predicted, the lowest-rated World Series in history, attracting an average of 13.6-million viewers over five games played in six evenings.

The Tampa Bay Rays/Philadelphia Phillies matchup notched a 14 percent audience decline from the previous historic low: the Detroit Tigers/St. Louis Cardinals game in 2006, which drew an average 15.8-million viewers over five nights.

In the Tampa Bay area, the games scored well, attracting an average 754,000 viewers; more than 830,000 fans watched Wednesday's final innings, or about 45 percent of area viewers with TVs turned on. Nationwide, the games averaged a 8.4 rating and 14 share, meaning 8.4 percent of those with TVs watched the game, or 14 percent of those with their televisions turned on.

Of course, there are explanations for this (or, as the critics might say, excuses). Rain delayed Saturday's game to near 10 p.m.; the contest eventually lasted almost until 2 a.m. Weather also forced the historic suspension of Monday's game -- the first time a World Series game was played over two days' time -- earning low ratings as viewers realized the contest wouldn't resume that night and bailed. And recent history shows the World Series really builds in audience when it goes to six and seven games, so ending at five games also precluded that possibility.

Putting the best face on things, Fox touted the 19.8-million people who watched the final innings Wednesday, a 33 percent advantage over the other networks. As opposed to Monday, when ABC's Dancing With the Stars outrated the rain-challenged game, Wednesday's conclusion attracted 18 percent of those watching TV nationwide.

Locally, the World Series ratings scored lower than the last Super Bowl, which earned a 49.8 rating and 71 share. But the Tampa Bay area has only had a few years to develop the kind of fan following that teams such as the Red Sox and Phillies have enjoyed for decades, and the Super Bowl's one big game always outdraws baseball's extended series.

Perhaps this World Series is less a historic low than a promising beginning; the introduction of the Tampa Bay Rays to a national audience.

Or is that just another, um, explanation? *   

Comments

[Johny]

We can tell you'll be good for years to come Rays and make it back to many World Series due to your roster of home grown, young talent.

Signed,
The 2006 Detroit Tigers

[NSC]

Had the games on TV but didn't enjoy watching them. BOR-ing. I could barely stand to see all those alluvasudden Rays fans who couldn't be SEEN within a 50-mile radius of Tropicana Field all these past years, but now suddenly show fanatical interest in their AL pennant team. Psh. Go back to worshipping the Bucs.

[Lara]

Some people don't enjoy baseball at all. The only reason we watched was BECAUSE it was the Rays.

[Bill]

I have never watched a complete World Series before and this is probably the last time for me. Geez, it's a boring drawn out affair!
Boring, boring, boring!

[Lou]

I guess next year we can expect a MLB directive to umpires to ensure that Big Market teams get into the WS. Translation... look for the rays to get the shaft

[Babs]

I don't care what anybody says, WOW WHAT A SERIES! I don't know when I've ever been so psyched over a World Series. Such a pleasure to have different teams playing. The Rays did a hell of a job and they sure put St. Petersburg front and center! Can't wait 'til Spring!

LOL--forget you. All the haters need to crawl back in the hole they came out of. The true fans were either AT the game (like me--all 5, thank you) or watching it.

[QB1]

Who cares about MLB's rating numbers. I watched most of the regular season games that I could and EVERY playoff game since the Rays post season started.

Don't start the games so late brainiacs and maybe you'll get more viewers. Especially the younger audience that has to be in bed early because they have school the next day. MLB is missing out on attracting an entire new generation of fans. It's their fault.

If Bud Selig owned a restaurant he'd screw up a soup and sandwich.

[QB1]

Who cares about MLB's rating numbers. I watched most of the regular season games that I could and EVERY playoff game since the Rays post season started.

Don't start the games so late brainiacs and maybe you'll get more viewers. Especially the younger audience that has to be in bed early because they have school the next day. MLB is missing out on attracting an entire new generation of fans. It's their fault.

If Bud Selig owned a restaurant he'd screw up a soup and sandwich.

[RagsTTIger]

Too bad they didn't follow the old radio line " and the hits just keep on coming" :)

There is always next year.

[Janet]

Though the ratings weren't that great, just remember this World Series will always be in the record books. Latest start due to a rain delay and first World Series to ever be suspended. The Rays and Phillies match-up will never be forgotten and will be trivia questions for years to come. And as your team gets better year after year, they'll say remember when...
Good job, Rays, you were a worthy opponent. Janet from Philadelphia

[Bill]

I enjoyed the parts that I got to see. I agree it was on too late for me.
I'm also curious how the numbers for T.V. add up for N.A.S.C.A.R. with my boy Jimmie Johnson going for three championships in a row? OOOPs I forgot the media for some reason doesn't like to cover the number 1 spectator sport in America!!

[Hypnosis]

This series will be remembered for a very long time - no doubt about that... And congrats, Phillies!

[LOL]

No one watched the Phillies win! ahahahahaha those jerks!

[Josh]

colt, you obvioulsy no nothing about baseball. The rays will be good for years to come, this was suppose to be the worst out of the next few years.

Go Rays and see ya in the WS agin soon.

[colt]

no surprise here. 2 Teams that have not gotten any interest at all. The Rays were a great story... For St. Pete. but lets face it, to win again next year is a long shot. The crowds will dwindle, they will be right around .500 and this happy feeling story will again be nothing by July next year.

maybe because it starts past my bedtime?

[joyce]

the games were on the TV too late in the evening even on the week-ends. Thanks pacific time zone and the greedy baseball and TV stations. For people who are still working.....this was too late in the evening! It was spread out for too many days, also. Get it overwith!!!

[Danny]

And where the hell are you from Carol? Bawston? Go back to the rat hole you came from. I for one enjoyed the series even though the Rays lost. I am sick of seeing the same teams in the big show every year. So this was nice for a change.

[Opinion Master]

oh yea, thats right, more money for MLB, that's why they won't dissolve them.

[Opinion Master]

I watched it.

but as one of the analysts said on t.v., if no one wants to tune into a 'small market' team in the
World Series, then why even have small market teams?
why not go ahead and dissolve the Rays, Cards. Marlins, K.C., Milwaukee, Arizona
Seattle, since don't they want to move anyway and Detroit since no one wanted to see them either.

let em watch the yankees and mets or cubs and white sox, I'll go back to watching hockey come fall or enjoying my summer

[Carol]

For pete's sake.... this is a surprise??
if I didn't live here I may not have watched either. Not exactly teams everyone tunes in to watch. When the Marlins were in the WS, I didn't watch.