FOX's coverage of the 2012 World Series has seen record lows for both Games 1 and 2. According to Nielsen ratings, Game 1 saw a 7.6 final rating with 12.2 million viewers, down 13% in ratings and almost 2 million viewers less from last years first game between St. Louis and Texas. It is also down 15% from 2010's series between San Fransisco and Texas which drew an 8.9 rating with 15 million viewers. The rating and viewership is the lowest for a non-Saturday World Series since 2008 (Phillies & Rays) and 2006 (Cardinals & Tigers) respectively.
Game 2 did not fare any better with an overnight rating of 8.8, the lowest for a World Series Game 2. The previous low was a 9.2 for Phillies/Rays in 2008. CBS programming featuring the Big Bang Theory and Person of Interest will likely take the win for the night, based on the overnights. NBC ratings may appear to be inflated due to covering the Vikings-Buccaneers simulcast on NFL Network, but overall may have cut into the Fall Classic's viewership. This doesn't bode well for the weekend, which will feature heavy competition from major college football games on ABC/ESPN Saturday and New Orleans and Denver showdown Sunday night on NBC.
So, it appears another World Series without a major market (i.e. the Yankees; Red Sox), will see another drop in FOX's post season coverage. This, after very solid ratings by TBS and FOX for the LDS and LCS. They are going to have to hope for a 6th and/or 7th game to see increases in viewers, or maybe another classic like last seasons Game 6 to peak more interest.
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