In the race for local viewers, the Yankees "find themselves in the unusual position of trailing the Mets," according to Bob Raissman of the N.Y. DAILY NEWS. Since SNY became the Mets' RSN in '06, the team has "never been ahead of the Yankees in the ratings race at this point in the season." To this point in the season, The Mets have averaged a 2.95 local rating (281,327 viewers), while the Yankees on YES Network have recorded a 2.42 rating (234,246 viewers). Looking at the season head-to-head matchup (Yankees and Mets telecasts that start within an hour of each other), the Mets have averaged a 3.11 local rating, 33% better than the 2.34 the Yankees have recorded. The buzz around the Mets' pitchers "brings viewers into the tent." Just as important is the "residue of positive vibes and goo-gobs of publicity following their trip to the World Series." Yet it is "worth wondering" if the Comcast-YES Network carriage dispute "has contributed to any Yankees ratings shortfall." TV is a "big part of any team’s business plan, especially in this market." And in that respect, the Yankees "are now in a place they are not used to being" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 6/14).
