A Win-Lose Proposition (or, the World Series Ratings Still Stink)

ShowBIZData.com ^ | 10/23/02

[GeneD]

Despite a third well-played and exciting World Series contest between the Anaheim Angels and the San Francisco Giants (even given the Angels' 10-4 rout), ratings for the all-West-Coast series continued to lag well behind last year's. Tuesday night's game, according to Nielsen overnights, recorded a 12.4 rating and an 18 share during primetime versus last year's 16.9/25 for the third game between the New York Yankees and the Arizona Diamondbacks -- a 26-percent drop. Nevertheless, Fox, which carried the game, easily beat out its rivals for the night, although CBS strongly challenged with an average 10.4/15. And even ABC managed to present a strong opposition with its new comedies 8 Simple Rules ... , According to Jim, and Life With Bonnie, averaging an 8.6/12. NBC trailed badly, however, with an average 5.7/8.

[GeneD]

Continuing coverage of the resurging interest in Major League Baseball!

[aardvark1]

Not only does baseball stink in general, but these ratings just go to show that Barry Bonds and Jeff Kent are such big jerks no one will watch them even in the WS.

[Huck]

The games are long and boring.

[tallhappy]

They are on too late.

Back east people don't want to stay up that late.

If an east coast team like the Yankees are in it, then more do stay up.

[B-bone]

They are definately long. I'm not sure I'd call them boring, but then I was rooting for the Angels last night.

[princess leah]

I think last year more people stayed HOME only 6 weeks after 9/11 and the World Series last year was a healer because New York was in it and there was tremendous emotion involved in all the pre-game/7th inning stretch stuff! Plus, it was just a great series and with Johnson/Schilling pitching for the D-BACKS and a healthy offense, the best team did win!

[Huck]

They are definately long. I'm not sure I'd call them boring, but then I was rooting for the Angels last night.

When your team is in it, it makes the length tolerable. But then, I have a short attention span for sports. I can sit through about half of a football game, about the same for basketball, less for hockey. Baseball I prefer to put on the radio so I can do something else and listen.

[tallhappy]

That's a great point you make.

[B-bone]

Baseball I prefer to put on the radio so I can do something else and listen.

Baseball is a radio game. No question about it.

[Wolfie]

I'd love to watch the games, but I gotta get up way too early to stay up that late.

[Snerfling]

If an east coast team like the Yankees are in it, then more do stay up.

Every year, the networks PRAY that it will be the Yankees/Red Sox vs. Dodgers/Giants, similar to the NBA wishing to see the good ole' Lakers vs. Celtics.

While football doesn't seem as susceptible, I'm sure networks execs shudder at the thought of, say, Jags vs. Panthers.

[Rustheman]

It's actually kind of surprising to me. I've watched all three games so far and it's been a very good series.

I'm a National League fan but I'm pulling for the Angels in this one. They play as a team. I can't stand Bonds and it kills me everytime he hits a monster homer. They need to start beaning him.

ALL HAIL THE RALLY MONKEY!

[gcruse]

World Series, US only. Yeah, that makes sense.

[Verginius Rufus]

World Series, US only.

The World Series has been won twice by a non-U.S. team (Toronto Blue Jays, 1992 and 1993).

The world equals the U.S. and anywhere within 50 miles of the U.S. border.

[gcruse]

 
The world equals the U.S. and anywhere
within 50 miles of the U.S. border.

Of course.  Thanks for the correction. ;)