Fox Earns 9.2/15 Final Rating For Game One

It's only one game, but critics' suspicions about the lack of interest in this year's World Series may have some validity. The Phillies' 3-2 win over the Rays in a close ballgame earns only a 9.2/15 final rating, a 12.4% decrease from last year. However, there may be a silver lining for Fox -- the figures are up from those seen during the all-time low '06 Cardinals-Tigers series. Meanwhile, Fox is doing its part to keep advertisers happy, rewarding big sponsors with in-game product mentions in addition to their regular spots, the most notable being Taco Bell's free taco promo. While the Rays stumbled out of the box last night, team President Matt Silverman indicates the club’s success is a sign of things to come, noting the Rays are likely to turn a profit this year on the strength of the playoff run and an expanding fan base. And Bud Selig attributes the Rays' renewal to MLB's competitive balance, which he says produces "hope and faith" for all teams.