Surge in Baseball Viewership: A Deep Dive into MLB’s Rising Popularity in 2023
The 2023 Major League Baseball (MLB) season has kicked off with a bang, showing a significant boost in viewer engagement across multiple platforms. Early reports from MLB and Nielsen reveal impressive double-digit increases in viewership in the United States and Japan, reflecting a growing enthusiasm for the game.
U.S. Viewership on the Rise
In the United States, baseball is capturing the attention of fans across various networks. ESPN has reported a remarkable 22% increase in viewership, averaging 1.74 million viewers for its broadcasts. This marks the most-watched season on the network through the first two months since 2017, indicating a revival of interest in America’s pastime.
Interestingly, this surge in viewership occurs amidst uncertainties about ESPN’s future with MLB. The network opted out of its current rights deal in February, leading fans to wonder if this might be the last year baseball is aired on the platform. Despite this uncertainty, the numbers suggest that baseball remains a compelling draw for audiences.
TBS and Fox Sports Join the Trend
Not content to be outdone, the MLB Tuesday package on TBS has seen a solid 16% increase in viewership. Meanwhile, Fox Sports reported a 10% rise, averaging 1.84 million viewers per game. This broad-based increase across different networks indicates a collective renaissance for baseball. A highlight of the season was the recent game where the Los Angeles Dodgers delivered a stunning performance, defeating the New York Yankees 18-2, which brought in an impressive average of 2.2 million viewers on Fox.
Streaming Growth: MLB.TV Breaks Records
Beyond traditional broadcasting, MLB’s digital platform, MLB.TV, is experiencing explosive growth. Viewership has skyrocketed by 27% compared to the previous year, with over 7.5 billion minutes of baseball action streamed as of early June. This uptick in streaming highlights the evolving landscape of sports consumption, as fans increasingly turn to online platforms for their baseball fix.
International Appeal in Japan
The enthusiasm for baseball isn’t confined to the U.S. In Japan, viewers are also tuning in, with NHK channels reporting an average of 2.7 million viewers for games. Notably, these numbers exclude the high-profile Tokyo Series games featuring the Dodgers and the Chicago Cubs that kicked off the regular season. The ratings in Japan are on track for MLB’s most-watched regular season, a trajectory that has been on the rise every year since 2021, highlighting the sport’s enduring popularity in the region.
A Bright Future for Baseball Viewership
The increasing viewership numbers in both the United States and Japan suggest a revitalized interest in baseball that extends beyond the typical fanbase. The combination of traditional broadcasting and streaming options allows for broader access and engagement, drawing in new fans and rekindling the interest of long-time supporters. With MLB’s strategic efforts to enhance the viewing experience and expand its reach, the future of baseball continues to look bright.
In 2023, the narrative surrounding MLB is not just about games; it’s about building a vibrant community of viewers who are excited about the sport, making records and breaking away from past trends.
