Fifteen million viewers may seem like a lot for your average television show. But for a game in the World Series, it’s not. Historically, the series has had fantastic ratings and has been one of the highest viewed programs on television. Back in 1984, each game averaged about forty million viewers.
“Baseball is dying out,” says junior Emily Jackson. “It’s a thing of the past.” Jackson doesn’t watch the series because she isn’t interested in baseball.
Many MHS students think that maybe it has to do with timing and scheduling.
“It’s late at night and on weekdays,” says Nick Jones. He pointed out that people have to work and do homework among other things. Jones also thinks that the games start too late at night and nobody wants to stay up until midnight watching baseball when they have school or work the next day. But unlike Jackson, Jones regularly watches the series.
Compare the measly 15 million viewers to the nearly 110 million viewers who watch the Super Bowl each year.
“The Super Bowl is just one game. Everybody watches part of it. It’s hard to focus for a seven game series,” Cliff Wagner explained.
“Football is easier, especially for guys, to bond with,” explains Aubrey Reynolds.
The Super Bowl is just one game compared to the World Series’ four to seven game length. However, even if all of the viewers from all seven games of the World Series were added together, that number still wouldn’t reach the amount of people that watch the Super Bowl. Not to mention, most of the viewers from the World Series watch every game, so the numbers are the same people multiple times.
Perhaps the MLB can do something to spark interest in the games.
“They could have a halftime show,” Emily Jackson suggests to gain more viewers.
“Maybe a wet t-shirt contest, or even an appearance from Ryan Gosling,” Aubrey Reynolds jokes.
Cliff Wagner thinks that starting games earlier in the day might make more people interested. Jones agrees with that statement saying that better times could make for bigger audiences.
Matt Weeks thinks that a shorter Series would perhaps create interest. The Series lasts anywhere between four and seven games, and some people can’t stay interested for that period of time.
Baseball is America’s pastime. Maybe that’s all it is. The future seems to be pointing towards football and away from the MLB. Maybe the real reason that the World Series is losing viewers is simply that people are no longer interested.
“Nobody cares,” Reynolds explained. Perhaps that’s true. Maybe nobody cares.