Is this the only hope for TBS
and FOX this postseason? |
The play could be the best yet seen, but today on FanGraphs, a look at the teams making the playoffs will have execs at TBS and FOX praying that the Yankees make it to the World Series, and hope that a key NL team makes it all the way, as this year is missing some key matchups. From the article Could MLB's Postseason TV Ratings Be Down?
For the likes of FOX and TBS the ratings game hinges almost exclusively on the Yankees. With no Cubs, Dodgers, or Red Sox in play, the biggest brands from large markets are absent from this year’s crop of teams. To make lemonade out of “ratings lemons”, the networks are looking at the Braves and the Phillies to be the National League storyline to pin their best hopes for the most viewers in the World Series. The choice between them is somewhat of a coin flip. Both come from large markets, with postseason history. If the Phillies were to make the World Series, it would mark the third time in as many years that they had done as much, something that hasn’t happened since Yankees did so from 1999-2001 (technically, they had 4 straight years in the WS starting in 1998). If they were to win the Series, the “dynasty discussion” would start making the rounds. On the flip side, some fans might be turned off by a repeat of last year’s Series match-up.
If the Braves were to go deep into the postseason and make the World Series, it would mark the first time back since 1999, and mark the return to the postseason since 2005. The advantage of the Braves from a ratings perspective lies in their market location (the South) and broad natural appeal that still lingers from TBS having them as their flagship before reaching their deal with MLB to become a national broadcast outlet (now, the Braves are treated equally with their other MLB brothers)
As I go on, it isn’t that there aren’t other great story lines with the other teams in the mix. And, truth be told, what I think the league, and television audience needs is a real shock to the system. Read the article to find out why.
 Maury Brown is the Founder and President of the Business of Sports Network, which includes The Biz of Baseball, The Biz of Football, The Biz of Basketball and The Biz of Hockey, as well as a contributor to FanGraphs and Forbes SportsMoney. He is available for hire or freelance. Brown's full bio is here. He looks forward to your comments via email and can be contacted through the Business of Sports Network.
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