The number of viewers for MLB playoffs increases due to the presence of top-market players competing for the World Series.

• The playoffs have seen robust viewership numbers on TNT Sports and Fox Sports.
• Star power and compelling storylines have helped draw attention.
• The 2024 regular season saw an increase in fan attendance and engagement, leading to a successful postseason.

Major League Baseball's postseason has been knocking it out of the park.

The first game of the National League Championship Series between the New York Mets and Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday drew an average of 8.26 million viewers across Sports' TV networks and streaming, making it the most-watched LCS game on any network since 2009, according to Fox Sports.

According to a TNT Sports spokesperson, the first game of the American League Championship Series on Monday night between the New York Yankees and Cleveland Guardians had a 4% increase in viewership from 2023, with a total of 3.9 million viewers.

During "Sunday Night Football" and "Monday Night Football," both series were vying for national recognition as New York's NFL teams played in the prime-time slots.

The championship series is set to follow four successful league division series for MLB and its broadcast partners. The American League Division Series had an average of 3 million viewers, a 20% increase from 2023, as per TNT Sports. Additionally, the National League Division Series also experienced an increase in viewership, with game four in each series seeing a rise from 2022.

Recent studies indicate that younger generations perceive shorter attention spans, which may be contributing to a decline in MLB's cultural relevance among key demographics for media companies. As a result, sports broadcasters have increasingly turned to highlights and clips as their primary programming.

Despite having low TV ratings, some attributed the poor performance of the Texas Rangers and Arizona Diamondbacks in last year's World Series to their lack of national appeal.

The 2024 regular season was a success for MLB, with increases in attendance, fan engagement, streaming and viewership. The league attributes these successes to the shorter games, facilitated by the pitch clock introduced last season, and rule changes that have created more in-game action.

"The enthusiasm of baseball fans of all ages has increased in the last two seasons, as evidenced by the ways we track fan engagement," said MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred in a release. "The 2024 season was remarkable, featuring historic performances, rising young stars, successful special events, and tight pennant races."

The MLB has recently introduced new rules to enhance game action, including enlarging the bases and limiting the shift. Additionally, the league has focused on its young superstars, such as Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge, who are on the Dodgers and Yankees, respectively, and could face off in the World Series if their teams win their LCS.

The World Series featuring the two most renowned franchises in Major League Baseball is a dream come true for baseball enthusiasts, according to Todd Boehly, CEO of Eldridge Industries, which owns the Dodgers and other professional teams.

The Mets and Guardians also have their own draws. The Mets' season improved in June with a winning streak, which was sparked by a McDonald's mascot, Grimace, tossing the first pitch at a game.

The Guardians regained their season after losing their division lead to the Kansas City Royals in August, thanks to a hot September performance by their star Jose Ramirez.

The Guardians trail the Yankees 2-0, while the Mets and Dodgers are tied at 1-1 in their series.