Darvish Propels MLB Rangers To League's Largest Local Ratings Increase In April

Rangers P Yu Darvish has helped the team post MLB's biggest local TV ratings increase during the first month of the season, according to FSN. The first-place Rangers have posted an 89% jump over last year's first month and have outrated the first two games of the Mavericks-Thunder NBA Playoff series head-to-head in the Dallas-Ft. Worth market. Games started by Darvish have drawn particularly large ratings -- accounting for three of the four highest-rated Rangers games ever on FS Southwest. The RSN has carried four of his five starts, which have averaged a 9.1 local rating. Overall, FSN says MLB game ratings have increased by 20% across its RSNs so far this season, which has helped the group's ad sales efforts. "We have had a great response from advertisers -- especially in renewals from last season," said Home Team Sports Exec VP Kyle Sherman, whose company sells the inventory.