[ad_1]
Major League Baseball’s postseason has been a hit, with the National League Championship Series’ first game between the New York Mets and Los Angeles Dodgers drawing in 8.26 million viewers, the most-watched LCS game on any network since 2009. The American League Championship Series also saw an increase in viewership, with the first game between the New York Yankees and Cleveland Guardians attracting 3.9 million viewers, up 4% from the previous year.

Both series faced tough competition from “Sunday Night Football” and “Monday Night Football,” where all three of New York’s NFL teams were playing in primetime slots. The success of the championship series comes after a successful league division series for MLB and its partners, with the American League Division Series averaging three million viewers, a more than 20% increase from 2023.

MLB has been making efforts to increase action in games with rule changes like larger bases and restrictions on defensive shifts. The league has also been highlighting generational stars like Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge, who could potentially face off in the World Series if their teams win their LCS. The league’s efforts have paid off, with increases in attendance, fan engagement, streaming, and viewership during the 2024 regular season.

Overall, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred expressed enthusiasm for the increased fan engagement, citing historic performances, emerging young stars, special events, and tight pennant races throughout the season. The remaining playoff teams, including the Mets, Dodgers, Yankees, and Guardians, all have their own storylines and draws, making for an exciting postseason showdown.

[ad_2]
SOURCE