Interest in this year’s World Series doesn’t appear to be quite what it would be with a major-market team like a New York or Boston involved. USA Today reports that overnight ratings for Fox's Wednesday broadcast of Game 1 between the Texas Rangers and St. Louis Cardinals were 8% below last year’s Game 1 overnights.

The story notes that last year’s Series ended up tied for the lowest-rated World Series ever. Doing the math, USA Today says it’s likely this year’s Series will set a new ratings low.

Last night’s broadcast pulled in a 9.6 overnight rating -- meaning 9.6% of TV households in the 56 metered markets were tuned in, the story reports. Despite the low ratings, it was a close game, with both teams still in it until the final out. St. Louis won 3-2.

Even so, Fox will be hoping for a long Series, as ratings typically get better the longer a Series goes.

ABC's "Modern Family" appeared to beat the World Series in the key 18-49 demo, according to TVbytheNumbers.com. The baseball telecast averaged a 4.2 rating in the demo in preliminary figures, while the sitcom averaged a 5.6, according to the story.

http://www.tvweek.com/blogs/tvbizwire/2011/10/world-series-on-track-to-becom.php

Getting rid of that annoying-as-hell Joe Buck would be an improvement.

Baseball has become more of a regional sport than a national one.

I don't follow baseball, however up until some time ago you knew the World Series was on even if you didn't watch it, now unless your team is involved you don't hear that much about it.

I have to agree that the interest in MLB is for the most part regional (with the possible exception of the Yankees) - and neither St. Louis nor Arlington are major market cities. Compared to NYC and LA, they're peanuts. MLB doesn't seem to have the national appeal that the Super Bowl or NBA Championship series do. I'm the exception - I love baseball more than any other sport and understand it much more than the other sports. Just my own opinion, of course. :cool: :D

For the first time in years, i have not followed any baseball, not even the Mariner's, which is unheard of for me. Until i read this, i hadn't even a clue who was in the world series, and frankly, iv'e forgotten already. Even joined a fantasy baseball team to make up for not getting to play fantasy basketball last season, but gave it up in less than a week. My heart just wasn't in it. Sounds like many other people have given up on it as well. Seems like every year for the last ten years we've heard the same thing, lowest rated World Series ever, lowest rated NBA Finals ever, the only thing that still succeeds is the Superbowl, and i know that over half just watch it for the commercials, or just to brag, and pretend that they actually know something about the sport. i'm sure overpayed, whiny athletes have alot to do with it.

I will be watching because I want the team who knocked out the phillies to win it all

I gave up on baseball and I live in St.Louis.

I will be watching because I want the team who knocked out the phillies to win it all

:rofl: