No Yankees = Bad World Series Ratings

From Chad Jennings:

Game 1 of the World Series was the top-rated program on television last night, and drew the fifth-largest prime time audience of the week. Among Adults 18-49, last night’s game averaged a 4.7 rating to give FOX its best night of prime time television in that demographic since the network’s American Idol finale in May.

Even so, compared to last year’s World Series Game 1, last night’s audience was down 25 percent in ratings and down 23 percent on average audience. Compared to the last non-Yankees World Series Game 1 — Phillies-Rays in 2008 — the opener was up 3 percent on viewership.

Not surprised by this at all. Are you?

Un Be LEE Vible!

Yeah....I know....I'm a hypocrite...I said I didn't want to hear anything more about "Superman" but nothing was sweeter than watching Cliff Lee get pummeled by the Giants and their apparent use of KRYPTONITE tonight! Look at him almost running away from the mound. Don't worry Cliff, it'll be okay....just don't stop running till you hit the Bronx!

World Series Schdule

Here's the scheduel via LoHud:

Date	Game	Host League	First Pitch/Pre-Game on FOX (ET)
Weds., 10/27	Game 1	National League	7:57 p.m./7:30 p.m.
Thurs., 10/28	Game 2	National League	7:57 p.m./7:30 p.m.
Sat., 10/30	Game 3	American League	6:57 p.m./6:30 p.m.
Sun., 10/31	Game 4	American League	8:20 p.m./8:00 p.m.
Mon., 11/1	Game 5	American League	7:57 p.m./7:30 p.m.
Weds., 11/3	Game 6	National League	7:57 p.m./7:30 p.m.
Thurs., 11/4	Game 7	National League	7:57 p.m./7:30 p.m.

“I am extremely pleased we are able to provide our fans the earliest World Series start time since 1987 with Saturday’s Game Three,’” said Baseball Commissioner Allan H. (Bud) Selig. “The changes we made with FOX last year to start the World Series games earlier helped increase viewership including more young fans and we are optimistic that the earlier start time for Saturday’s Game Three will keep us moving in the same direction.”

Apparently, FOX and Major League Baseball have wanted to move up the start times for these games for years, but companies weren't willing to hand over prime time money for ads.

“We’ve said over the years that if advertisers were willing to support earlier starts at prime time levels, we’d be able to begin games earlier,” said FOX Sports president Eric Shanks. “We’re excited to be working with MLB and Chevrolet, along with our FOX-owned stations and affiliates to make this happen.”