MLB postseason viewership reaches highest level in 15 years
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Viewers are showing up in big numbers for October baseball, with this year’s postseason delivering some of MLB’s strongest ratings in years.
Game 1 of the American League Championship Series between the Mariners and Blue Jays on Sunday drew an average of 10.02 million viewers combined in the United States and Canada, continuing a trend of rising audience figures for baseball this October.
The 2025 playoffs averaged 4.33 million viewers through the end of the Division Series round -- the best in 15 years and an increase of 30% compared to 2024 (3.33 million average viewers).
Game 5 of the ALDS between the Mariners and Tigers, a 15-inning epic that saw Seattle prevail, was the most-watched ALDS game since 2011, drawing 8.72 million viewers across FOX, FOX Deportes and FOX Sports streaming services.
Meanwhile, an average of 7.65 million viewers between the U.S. and Canada tuned in to watch the Blue Jays and Yankees square off in the ALDS. The series drew 3.65 million viewers on average in Canada, an increase of 10% compared to the last time the Blue Jays reached the ALDS in 2016.
The 2025 postseason continues Wednesday night with Game 3 of the ALCS in Seattle (8:08 p.m. ET, FS1) as the Blue Jays try to come back from a 2-0 series deficit. The Dodgers, who lead the Brewers, 2-0, in the National League Championship Series, will host Milwaukee for Game 3 on Thursday.