via MediaWeek:
Boasting a murderers’ row of big-market clubs--along with the Yankees and a pair of Los Angeles-area contenders, no less than six of the playoff-bound MLB franchises represent top 10 DMAs--the promise of a deep run to the Fall Classic has Turner Sports practicing its home run trot. (Waiting on deck with its fingers crossed for a great World Series matchup
is Fox.)Heading into its third year of October baseball, TBS has sold 75 percent of its avails, signing on a roster of clients that includes endemics Anheuser-Busch (official MLB partner) and JPMorgan Chase, returning sponsors BlackBerry and Captain Morgan, and rookie Hass Avocado.
But everyone should remember that while big name matchups are a big plus, it’s the long series (6 or 7 games) that provide the really big ratings boosts, both on a per game and for a season/weekly average basis.
No less than SIX? I count NY, LA, LA, PHI, BOS. The other three are DET (11 — barely) or MIN (15), DEN (16) and STL (21).
it can’t be said enough (and I probably should’ve said it again!) 7 games of Rockies vs. St.Louis > 4 or 5 games of Yankees/Sawx. It’s true! Plus, history has shown that the Angels will NOT get big viewing just because they are in a big market. These things can always be picked apart, but sadly it seems (at least on this site) you and I are the only ones who are interested in doing that! Not that that doesn’t count for something!
Dean – Atlanta (still in running) is a top 10 market
The St. Louis Cardinals has a bigger market than one might think. Thanks to the days when the Cards were broadcasted on KMOX they have a very large following in other areas other that just Missouri. KMOX could be heard in Arkansas, Kentucky, Indiana, Oklahoma, Illinois and even as far as Texas. There are Cardinals fans in many states in middle America. Plus if the Cards make the World Series…take a look at the ratings share for St. Louis. I bet it will be a big number. That whole city is in love with the Cards.
I heard that Fox is moving up the starting times of the World Series. Anyone know what time first pitch is going to be for the weekday and weekend games for the World Series?
I think this will be extremely helpful for the ratings as the games have started too late for the majority of people on the east coast.
First pitch at 7:57 ET.