The highly anticipated matchup between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the New York Yankees in the 2023 World Series has captured the attention of sports fans nationwide. With the potential to surpass the NBA Finals in television ratings, this series is poised to become one of the most-watched events of the year.

A Ratings Juggernaut in the Making

Game 1 Delivers Massive Viewership

The opening game of the World Series between the Dodgers and Yankees was a thrilling affair, with the Dodgers emerging victorious in extra innings. According to Fox, the game drew an impressive 15.2 million viewers, making it the most-watched World Series Game 1 since before the COVID-19 pandemic. This number is particularly noteworthy given the current media landscape, where viewership for many events has declined due to the rise of streaming services and social media.

Potential for Record-Breaking Viewership

If the viewership trends continue, this World Series could become one of the most-watched in recent history. Typically, World Series ratings tend to increase as the stakes rise, with late-series games often drawing the highest numbers. In 2019, Game 7 of the Nationals-Astros World Series drew 23.2 million viewers, while Game 6 of the 2017 Astros-Dodgers series drew 22.2 million. Even Game 5 of the 2017 series, which featured the Dodgers, managed to attract 18.9 million viewers.

Outpacing the NBA Finals

The potential for this World Series to outperform the NBA Finals is particularly noteworthy. In 2023, the NBA Finals averaged 11.3 million viewers, a significant decline from the 15 million-plus viewership numbers seen in recent years. The last time the NBA Finals topped 15 million viewers was in 2019. In contrast, a 15-million average viewership for the World Series would rank as the third-highest since 2010, a remarkable feat given the broader trends in television viewership.

A Top-Tier Television Event

If the viewership numbers hold, this World Series could rank among the 100 most-viewed events on U.S. television in 2024. In 2023, the 100th-most viewed event was a Sunday CBS football window that drew 15.0 million viewers. Only four non-football events cracked the top 100 last year, including the State of the Union address, the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, the Academy Awards, and a Fox episode of Next Level Chef that aired right after the Super Bowl.

A Potential Ratings Resurgence

The strong viewership for this World Series could signal a broader resurgence in the popularity of baseball on television. After years of declining ratings, the sport may be poised for a comeback, with the Dodgers-Yankees matchup serving as a catalyst for renewed interest. This could have significant implications for the future of the sport and its media partnerships, as networks and advertisers seek to capitalize on the renewed enthusiasm.