Game 1 of the Tigers/Giants World Series drew an 8.8 overnight rating on FOX Wednesday night, down 8% from Rangers/Cardinals Game 1 last year (9.6), and down 15% from Rangers/Giants Game 1 in 2010 (10.4).
The 8.8 overnight is the second-lowest ever for Game 1 of the World Series. Only Cardinals/Tigers Game 1 in 2006, which aired on a Saturday night, earned a lower overnight (8.6).
In addition, the 8.8 is the lowest ever for any World Series game that did not take place on a Saturday night. The previous low was a 9.2 overnight for Phillies/Rays Game 2 in 2008.
The Giants’ comfortable victory likely played a role in the lower numbers. Monday’s overnight peaked early at a 9.7 from 9-9:30 PM and 9:30-10 PM ET. From 11-11:30 PM, the game averaged a 7.5.
Game 1 was the fifth consecutive Major League Baseball playoff game in which the final margin of victory was at least five runs. All five games involved the Giants.
In Detroit, Game 1 drew a 33.2 rating, up 2% from 2006 (32.5). The game drew a 32.3 in the Bay Area, down 10% from 2010 (35.9).
To put Wednesday’s numbers in perspective, Game 1 of the Heat/Thunder NBA Finals earned an 11.8 overnight rating on ABC in June, and Game 1 of the Kings/Devils Stanley Cup Final drew a 2.4 on NBC