Record-Breaking Viewership: The 2024 World Series by the Numbers
The 2024 World Series has officially become the most-watched Fall Classic since 2017, with the Los Angeles Dodgers’ thrilling five-game series win over the New York Yankees drawing in a massive audience.
A Seven-Year High for Game Five
Wednesday’s Game Five saw an average of 18.6 million viewers tune in across Fox Sports outlets, including the broadcast network, Fox Deportes, and streaming services. This marks a seven-year high for a World Series Game Five, with the main Fox broadcast alone attracting 18.15 million viewers.
The Cubs’ Undeniable Draw
While the Dodgers and Yankees are undoubtedly two of the biggest franchises in Major League Baseball, the numbers suggest that the Chicago Cubs bring a unique level of excitement to the World Series. In fact, when the Cubs made it to the World Series in 2016, they averaged a staggering 23 million viewers, compared to the 16 million drawn in by this year’s Yankees-Dodgers series.
A 30% Bump in Viewership
Using common sense, it’s clear that the Cubs’ presence in the World Series would result in a significant increase in viewership – potentially as high as 30% more than the two biggest clubs in the sport. This is largely due to the Cubs’ dedicated fan base, which boasts strong midwestern family values and a loyalty that translates to big ratings during playoff baseball.
The Far East Factor
It’s also worth noting that the Dodgers have a significant advantage when it comes to Japanese distribution, which likely contributed to this year’s strong viewership numbers. However, even taking this into account, the argument remains that the Cubs are undervalued and have vast untapped potential when it comes to global reach.
A Call to Action for Cubs Leadership
Despite the clear benefits of having the Cubs in the World Series, it seems doubtful that the team’s leadership is willing to take bold action to capitalize on this potential. With a focus on “intelligent spending” and “outperforming expectations,” the organizational tone falls short of what’s needed to truly compete with the best teams in the league.
A Prescription for Success
It’s time for the Cubs to stop settling for mediocrity and invest in the talent and quality play needed to truly compete. Only then can they begin to bridge the gap between average and great MLB clubs. Until then, fans will continue to feel underserved and frustrated by the lack of urgency and reckless spending from the team’s leadership.
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