Major League Baseball (MLB) continues to enjoy a surge in both attendance and television viewership this season, reflecting growing fan interest and engagement with the sport. As of this week, the league announced that all national television partners are reporting significant increases in their audience numbers.
Fox has experienced a 10% rise in viewership, averaging 1.84 million viewers per game. Meanwhile, ESPN, despite its previous decision to exit its MLB rights early, has seen an impressive 22% increase, boasting an average of 1.74 million viewers per game — the network’s highest baseball ratings since 2017. In Japan, interest in MLB has also surged, with a 22% growth in viewership to an average of 2.7 million, even when excluding the record-setting Tokyo Series.
Overall, more positive trends can be seen across various platforms. The league’s own streaming service, MLB.TV, and broadcasts on the MLB Network and TBS have reported double-digit percentage increases in audience size, highlighting the growing popularity of baseball. A notable highlight was the June 1 finale of the Yankees-Dodgers weekend series, which drew an average of 2.7 million viewers for Sunday Night Baseball, peaking at 3.1 million — the largest audience for the primetime slot in seven years.
Alongside these viewing increases, MLB attendance has risen by 1.8% this season, averaging nearly 28,000 fans per game. This growth can be attributed to a strategic focus on scheduling and star players, such as Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge, who continue to attract fans to the ballparks. If this trend continues, it would mark the third consecutive year of attendance growth for the league.
In player news, the Kansas City Royals have recently promoted highly regarded outfielder/first baseman Jac Caglianone, selected sixth overall in the 2024 MLB draft. Caglianone has made an immediate impact in the minors, hitting .322 with 15 home runs and 56 RBIs in just 50 games. His promotion comes at a crucial time for the Royals, who are seeking to improve their offense, as they currently rank among the lowest in runs scored. By bringing Caglianone to the majors, the Royals hope to invigorate their struggling lineup, partnering him with standout player Bobby Witt Jr.
Despite challenges, including a lackluster offensive performance, the Royals are optimistic that their investment in young talent will yield positive outcomes. With Caglianone at the helm, fans have reason to be hopeful about the future.