MLB Postseason Soars to Highest Viewership Since 2017

UPDATE: Major League Baseball’s postseason is experiencing a surge in viewership, reaching its highest ratings in the U.S. since 2017. According to official reports from MLB and Nielsen, the postseason is averaging 4.48 million viewers, marking a significant 13% increase compared to last year.

The impressive viewership is largely driven by the thrilling first two rounds of the playoffs. The American League Championship Series (ALCS), broadcast on Fox, Fox Sports 1, and Fox Deportes, averaged 4.99 million viewers across seven games, matching last year’s ALCS which featured the New York Yankees and Cleveland Guardians.

However, the Los Angeles Dodgers‘ swift four-game sweep over the Milwaukee Brewers and Shohei Ohtani‘s remarkable three-homer game in Game 4 on a Friday night also played a role in viewership fluctuations. That game secured an audience of 3.51 million, while the series averaged 4.7 million, reflecting a 17% decline from last year’s six-game series between the New York Mets and Dodgers.

Notably, the Toronto Blue Jays‘ thrilling 4-3 victory over the Seattle Mariners in Game 7 captured an astonishing average of 9.03 million viewers, making it the most-watched ALCS game in eight years. The ninth inning peaked at an impressive 12.35 million viewers, showcasing the intense excitement surrounding the postseason.

The postseason’s impact extends beyond the U.S., with substantial viewership growth in Canada and Japan. Toronto’s World Series berth for the first time since 1993 averaged 6 million viewers in Canada, marking it as the most-watched Blue Jays game on Sportsnet. Meanwhile, Ohtani’s standout performance in Game 4 garnered 10.26 million viewers in Japan, ranking as the second most-watched LCS game in the country’s history. The 16-hour time difference meant the game aired on Saturday morning in Japan, drawing in a captivated audience.

In Japan, the National League Championship Series (NLCS) set a new record, averaging 7.34 million viewers, representing a remarkable 26% increase over last year. Fans are increasingly tuning in to follow stars like Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Roki Sasaki, reflecting the growing international appeal of MLB.

As the postseason unfolds, all eyes are on the upcoming games, with anticipation building for who will emerge as this year’s champions. The heightened viewership numbers not only underscore the excitement surrounding the games but also highlight the growing global interest in Major League Baseball.

Stay tuned for more updates as the postseason progresses and the excitement continues to build.