World Series Draws Record Viewership

The ongoing World Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Toronto Blue Jays is setting new viewership records, captivating audiences across the United States, Canada, and Japan. According to MLB, the first two games of the series averaged an impressive 30.5 million combined viewers, marking the largest audience between these three countries since the thrilling Game 7 of the 2016 World Series.

Record-Breaking Audience Numbers

Notably, the first two games also attracted an average combined audience of 19.8 million viewers in the U.S. and Canada, the highest for this stage of the World Series since 2016. This represents a substantial 27 percent increase from last year's World Series viewership, reflecting the growing excitement surrounding this year’s matchup.

Factors Behind the Surge in Viewership

Several factors are contributing to this surge in viewership. Firstly, the participation of a Canadian team in the World Series for the first time in 32 years has drawn millions of fans who may not have otherwise engaged with the games. Secondly, the series boasts an impressive roster featuring 13 internationally born players from eight different countries, which adds to the global appeal.

Star Performances Impacting Ratings

Among these international stars is the iconic Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers, who has made headlines with a remarkable performance going 4-for-4 with two home runs and three RBIs in Game 1. The presence of other Japanese talents such as Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Rōki Sasaki has further enhanced viewership, especially from their home country.

Series Update

In terms of game outcomes, the Blue Jays took Game 1 with a score of 11-4, but the Dodgers bounced back in Game 2, winning 5-1. Game 3 showcased an exhilarating match going into a record-tying 18 innings, with Freddie Freeman sealing the game for the Dodgers with a dramatic walk-off home run. As the series looks ahead, the Blue Jays will be aiming to equalize in Game 4 while pursuing their first World Series title since 1993.