The Cardinals had a woeful season, missing postseason play after compiling their worst record in nearly three decades.
That led to their lowest performance in local television ratings on record and MLB isn’t faring well locally in the postseason, either, compared to the NFL.
The leagues went head-to-head in prime time on Sunday and Monday, with football kicking baseball in terms of St. Louis TV viewership.
Sunday night’s Texas-Houston American League Championship Series ballgame was shown on KTVI (Channel 2) and was seen in 5.6% of the market. The New York Giants-Buffalo football affair, on KSDK (Channel 5) did a 7.8 rating. Figures are according to Nielsen, which tracks viewership.
The disparity was even greater on Monday — and that is despite the baseball game being a National League Championship Series contest (Arizona-Philadelphia). But in St. Louis, an NL city, the rating was 2.1 for TBS’ telecast. The Dallas-Los Angeles Chargers football matchup, on KDNL (Channel 30) and ESPN, drew a combined rating of 7.7.
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So for those two nights baseball averaged a 3.85 rating, football a 7.75 figure.
Blues up a tad
The Blues also were not in the playoffs this year but nonetheless there has been a slight uptick in their early season TV ratings.
Bally Sports Midwest reports that its numbers for the first two games were up 4% over the same point last year and 6% over two years ago. Those telecasts this year drew 4% of the market (92,000 viewers) and each was the top-rated program on St. Louis television those nights.
In today’s 10 a.m. “Ten Hochman” video — brought to you by Siteman Cancer Center and Window Nation — Ben Hochman shares a few thoughts on the possibility of Yadier Molina joining the St. Louis Cardinals’ coaching staff. Also, a happy birthday shoutout to Daniel Descalso! And as always, Hochman picks a random St. Louis Cards card!
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