2025 World Series Sees Record Viewership

As the Toronto Blue Jays hold a 3-2 lead, they have the opportunity to clinch the World Series tonight. Major League Baseball (MLB) is experiencing a surge in interest, marked by impressive viewership numbers not just in the U.S. and Canada, but internationally, particularly in Japan. A significant beneficiary of this trend is FOX Sports, which is set to earn hundreds of millions in advertising revenue.

A Halloween Showdown for the Blue Jays

Tonight’s Game 6 falls on Halloween, showing a unique dynamic as some viewers may miss parts of the game to take their children trick-or-treating. This marks the first World Series appearance for Canada’s sole MLB franchise since 1993, adding to the excitement. FOX’s coverage begins at 7 pm ET.

Impressive Revenue Projections for FOX Sports

Last year’s World Series between the Yankees and Dodgers attracted an average of 15.8 million viewers across multiple platforms, but it concluded in just five games. In contrast, if the Blue Jays secure a win tonight and the series extends to Game 7, FOX’s projected in-game advertising revenue could soar to over $330 million.

Changes in Nielsen’s Viewership Metrics

It’s worth noting that Nielsen has updated its methodology, now counting viewership from bars and restaurants as well as utilizing data from smart TVs and set-top boxes. This shift has contributed to positive viewership numbers for this year’s World Series, with reports indicating an average of 13,143,200 viewers across all platforms through Game 5.

Record-breaking Canadian Engagement

Viewership in Canada has skyrocketed, with Rogers’ Sportsnet reporting that Game 5 was the most-watched Blue Jays World Series game ever, averaging 7.2 million viewers. Overall, the series has seen an average of 6.4 million Canadian viewers, with 19.3 million Canadians tuning in at various points.

The Global Impact of the World Series

The series has also set records for combined viewership between Japan and North America. Game 1 alone achieved a remarkable 11.8 million average viewers in Japan, making it the most-watched World Series game on a single network in the region’s history.

Recent U.S. Viewership Highlights

Across various games, viewership peaks have been significant, with Game 4 reaching 16.7 million viewers, and Game 5 hitting 16 million. In contrast with previous years, the 2024 average of 15.8 million is notable, showcasing the growing interest in this year’s matchup.