Television executives and media buyers everywhere pooped their pants when they realized that neither the New York Yankees nor the Philadelphia Phillies will be in this year’s World Series. Those teams represent the largest and fourth-largest US television markets, respectively, and some are already raising a ruckus about how a Texas Rangers-San Francisco Giants World Series will be shunned and ignored by the sporting public.
To be fair, the Rangers play in Arlington, which is almost squarely planted between Dallas and Ft. Worth; those cities collectively represent the fifth-largest American TV market. And the sixth-largest? Yep. San Francisco. But don’t tell any of that to Bill Gorman.
Fox is already down 12% vs. last season in their adults 18-49 ratings and as Robert noted, they face likely further year to year ratings declines now with the World Series almost certain to be down year to year.
In the 21st century for World Series average viewership to break 20 million, it requires the Yankees or the Red Sox. Although in 2000 & 2009, even the Yankees couldn’t average over 20 million. –TV By The Numbers.
It seems to be that people only mention market sizes when they know absolutely nothing about the teams involved, partaking in the vertiable “sports argument that has nothing to do with sports.” The value of such a debate is right on par with Tom Brady’s hair, pink cleats, and anything Chad Ochocinco tweets after 10 pm. As far as the series goes, obviously I’m rooting for the guy that admitted doing cocaine. I bet I could see the powder right on his nose in HD.

Television executives are soulless bastards. This is the WS matchup I was hoping for because it will be the most interesting to watch.
Baseball fans will watch it no matter what. People sick of seeing NY and Boston in it might even be more inclined to watch it.
When you live by the Yankees and Red Sox, you die by the Yankees and Red Sox. Fuck you FOX, you reap what you sow.
Want better ratings, Fox? Replace those two assholes in your booth.
It just might be tolerable to visit New York City for a few months this year.
i will do my part by not watching this world series as i cry into my yuengling.
McCarver’s voice makes my skin crawl…and he is the better of the two in the booth…I may mute this series but I will watch
Thhhhhhhe Yankees lose… Thhhhhhhhe Yankees lose…
What’s ESPN going to talk about without there east coast teams… HAHAHA
Buying a world series just isn’t that easy anymore…
Can’t wait for this world series!!!
The best part of this series is Jerry Jones’ head exploding due to all the attention his neighbors are getting [which he is not getting]… can’t wait to see that brain-like matter splattered all over Jerry World.
And the east coast sports media can kiss Ron Washington’s taint.
if you don’t like what’s already happened this season in baseball, then you are NOT a fan of the game. Postseason baseball is about the magic of the game, the little guys doing big things and it goes to show that just because you spend more money doesn’t mean you’re going to advance. As for FOX… they need to lose the East coast bias. I could hear the disappointment in their voice when San Francisco clinched. And it’s just because they picked Philly to advance and they were wrong. Congratulations to Texas and San Francisco on the great season! And that is why I love this game more than anything else!!
thank you.
Lotta folks are pretty excited. New Yorkers can watch dancing with the Stars. Some of theirs will probably be on, since they have nothing better to do for the next few months.
for real shan
pathetic, all you weak ass yank and phils fans wanting to see the same bullshit, i dont care what the ratings say, this is great for the game of baseball, 2 teams with tradition who have needed a WS title forever. Also a ton of great hitters and pitchers, hopefully it goes 7, fuck off. further more i am a twins fan so there is no bias.
That’s a pretty poor business model if your success relies on the same three team winning the post season every year.
Go Giants! Anyone not watching this WS because of the Phillies/Yankees/Red Socks/East Coast is not in it is an old sore loser. BOOOOO HOOOOOO HOOOOOOOO! FOX sucks! wish i didn’t have to hear their sorry a$h commentary. Douche bags!!!!