Fox averaged a 1.6 rating and 2.4 million viewers for its '13 MLB regular-season coverage, marking the second straight season the net has seen a record low audience for Saturday regional coverage. The record low dates back to ’96, when Fox acquired MLB TV rights. This season’s audience is down 6% and 4%, respectively, from a 1.7 rating and 2.5 million viewers in ’12, when Fox had strong competition from the London Games and a late NBA postseason. The net did rebound from a very slow start after seeing a 23% drop through the first three weeks of the season. While national coverage fell again, Fox’ RSNs saw a 7% jump. A Fox Sports spokesperson said, “Overall, it was a solid season. ... As a company, we’re pleased with the overall state of our baseball business, and we’re excited about getting our postseason coverage underway on Saturday."
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FOX MLB SATURDAY REGULAR-SEASON TREND
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YEAR
|
RATING
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VIEWERS (000)
|
|
'13
|
1.6
|
2,400
|
|
'12
|
1.7
|
2,500
|
|
'11
|
1.8
|
2,744
|
|
'10
|
1.8
|
2,700
|
|
'09
|
1.8
|
2,700
|
|
'08
|
2.0
|
2,900
|
|
'07
|
2.3
|
3,312
|
|
'06
|
2.4
|
3,348
|
|
'05
|
2.6
|
3,606
|
|
'04
|
2.7
|
3,727
|
|
'03
|
2.7
|
3,600
|
|
'02
|
2.5
|
3,445
|
|
'01
|
2.6
|
3,377
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