What's happened
The 2025 World Series drew the largest U.S. audience since 2017, with over 25 million viewers on Fox and streaming platforms. The final game peaked at 31.5 million viewers, marking a significant increase from previous years and highlighting strong regional and international interest.
What's behind the headline?
The record-breaking viewership underscores MLB's successful expansion into international markets and digital platforms. The series' appeal was amplified by the Dodgers' comeback victories and dramatic moments, which drew viewers across multiple regions. The peak audience of over 31 million indicates a resurgence in baseball's popularity, driven by compelling narratives and accessible streaming options. This trend suggests MLB will continue to invest in global broadcasting and digital engagement to sustain growth. The significant international audience, especially in Japan and Canada, highlights the sport's expanding global footprint, which could influence future scheduling and marketing strategies.
What the papers say
AP News and NY Post provided detailed viewership data, emphasizing the series' record-breaking numbers and regional interest. AP News highlighted the overall global reach, including broadcasts in 203 countries, while the NY Post focused on the U.S. and Canadian audiences, noting the series' ranking among historic Game 7 viewerships. The contrasting perspectives underscore MLB's broad international appeal and the importance of regional markets in driving overall success.
How we got here
This year's World Series featured the Los Angeles Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays, with the Dodgers winning their second consecutive title. The series' high viewership is attributed to the Dodgers' strong performance, streaming engagement, and international broadcasts, especially in Japan and Canada. The 2025 series surpassed previous viewership records, reflecting growing global interest in Major League Baseball.
Go deeper
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The Toronto Blue Jays are a Canadian professional baseball team based in Toronto, Ontario. The Blue Jays compete in Major League Baseball as a member club of the American League East division.
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The Los Angeles Dodgers are an American professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers compete in Major League Baseball as a member club of the National League West division.
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Major League Baseball is an American professional baseball organization and the oldest of the major professional sports leagues in the United States and Canada.
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The World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball in Canada and the USA, contested since 1903 between the American League champion team and the National League champion team.
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