TBS earned a 1.6 overnight rating for the Blue Jays’ 7-6, ALDS-clinching win over the Rangers in 10 innings last night. The net saw heavy head-to-head competition from the presidential debate, as well as the exclusion of the Toronto market, which is not Nielsen rated. Last night’s game, which started at 7:30pm ET, had a peak rating of 1.8 before the debate (8:15-8:30), but dropped sharply to a 1.1 during it. Following the debate, the overall game telecast peaked a 2.5 rating between 10:45-11:00pm. Last year, FS1 earned a 1.7 overnight for Game 3 of the same Blue Jays-Royals matchup on a Saturday night. Two years ago, TBS averaged a 2.8 overnight for Royals-Angels ALDS Game 3 on a Sunday night (Josh Carpenter, Assistant Editor).
COUNTRY BEARS: In N.Y., Richard Sandomir noted each of the Cubs' NLDS games against the Giants is "scheduled for prime time," and that "would most likely continue for the Cubs if they reached" the NLCS. MLB COO Tony Petitti said of the Cubs, "We wanted to maximize the opportunity by putting them in the strongest time slot.” He added that "no other teams have shown bitterness toward MLB for its prime-time scheduling of the Cubs." Sandomir noted if the Cubs reach the World Series, they "could provide a jolt to viewership, which in the past decade has ranged from 12.7 million to 19.4 million" (N.Y. TIMES, 10/8). Meanwhile, in Chicago, Steve Rosenbloom wrote this "could be one long postseason if Fox doesn’t bring in some adults." Rosenbloom: "When did Fox start hating Cubs fans?" FS1's broadcast of Cubs-Giants Game 1 was a "whole lot of odd, off-putting angles." The outfield shot "seemed like the cameras were on the roof of Murphy’s Bleachers and the replays came from Uncle Morris using his first iPhone." He noted fans on social media were "carving Fox for the broadcast." Rosenbloom: "This is the product we get on top of a late start with more late starts to come?" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 10/8).
RHYME & REASON: In L.A., Tom Hoffarth noted MLB during its postseason "doesn’t do itself any real favors by going with a piecemeal TV partnership that may test one’s patience, but based on experience, is fairly workable." MLB Network's Bob Costas said, "There is a business rationale behind it, cobbling the revenue and rights together. Some of the early round properties are more valuable to cable networks than to the traditional networks as we think of them.” He added, "This year, if the Cubs were to get to the World Series, and let’s say they play the Red Sox -- it’s a circumstance that would break the (declining) trend of World Series ratings for baseball. It would be a national story beyond baseball fans. Just blockbuster ratings. But the truth is in every measurable way -- attendance, local TV ratings, network revenue, international marketing, MLB.com -- baseball is way ahead of any other time in its history. Except for October ratings. And there are reasons" (L.A. DAILY NEWS, 10/9).
MIND ON SOMETHING ELSE? In Chicago, Phil Rosenthal wondered if there is something FS1 can "give Alex Rodriguez to bulk up his commentary." Anything to "strengthen A-Rod’s postgame analysis would be welcome ... given his performance" after Cubs-Giants on Friday. As the postgame show "wore on," studio host Kevin Burkhardt "seemed to try to get Rodriguez on track." But Rodriguez on Friday was "not fun to watch" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 10/8). Meanwhile, in N.Y., Mark Sanchez noted Rodriguez on Saturday "may have hinted at a baseball return." Panelist Pete Rose said of retiring Red Sox DH David Ortiz, “He might be lacing his shoes up for the last time. How’s that feel, Alex?” Rodriguez: "Stay tuned.” The rest of the panel then "erupted in laughs." Sanchez noted it "could be an improvised answer for a television audience," or it "could be a signal that the all-time great the Yankees unconditionally released after his Aug. 12 sendoff is not finished with the game" (N.Y. POST, 10/9).
KNOW THE COUNT: SI.com's Richard Deitsch noted Turner was "severely criticized on Twitter for not including a pitch count stat during its TBS coverage of the postseason, in addition to some factual mistakes." Turner Sports VP/Content Matt Mosteller said, “Our graphics package was developed with a streamlined design this year to make it even more easily digestible for fans. ... Listening closely to our viewers, we’ve decided to integrate pitch count into our TBS Strike Zone graphic at all times throughout the remainder of our postseason coverage" (SI.com, 10/9). In N.Y., Phil Mushnick writes, "Because no bad idea is unworthy of duplication then perpetuation, TBS has joined ESPN in posting computerized strike-zone boxes -- distracting, inaccurate and ultimately irrelevant -- during live play" (N.Y. POST, 10/10).
