ALL-STAR FAREWELL TO DEREK JETER POWERS
MID-SUMMER CLASSIC TO FOUR-YEAR RATINGS & AUDIENCE HIGHS
MLB All-Star Game Posts Consecutive Year-to-Year Ratings Increase
For First Time in 20 Years
Minneapolis - The 85th MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL ALL-STAR GAME on FOX from Target Field last night was a star-studded celebration of the National Pastime, highlighted by a pregame salute to outstanding teachers, a booming flyover by six U.S. Air Force Thunderbird F-16 Fighting Falcons and a fourth-inning moment that allowed the best players of today and over 40,000 in the stands to salute retiring New York Yankees icon Derek Jeter, one of the greatest shortstops ever, making his final All-Star appearance.
The spectacle that was the 2014 MLB ALL-STAR GAME, a 5-3 win by the American League that saw Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim slugger Mike Trout named game MVP, scored a 7.0 fast-national household rating, with an average audience of 11.34 million, the highest-rated, most-watched All-Star Game since 2010 (7.5/13, with 12.1 million viewers), according to Nielsen Media Research. Given that the household rating for last year's game increased from 2012 (6.9 vs. 6.8), this marks the first time that the MLB All-Star Game has posted ratings increases in consecutive years since 1993 and 1994.
· The 2014 MLB All-Star Game posted a +1% increase over last year's 6.9 HH rating and up +3% on average audience (11.34 vs. 11.0 million viewers) and ranks as FOX's highest-rated and most-watched broadcast since American Idol on Feb. 5.
· FOX projects to be No. 1 for the night in primetime when final national ratings are released, with FOX's 8:00 PM - 11:00 PM ET metered market average of 8.0/14 easily out-distancing second place NBC by +59% (5.1).
· Early tune-in for the All-Star Game was strong, as interest in Derek Jeter's final appearance drove viewing up +9% for the game's first full half-hour (8:30-9:00 PM ET, 7.5/13 vs. 6.9/12).
· The strong early tune-in directly led to consistently high viewership figures in each half-hour from 8:30-10:00 PM ET (8:30-9:00 PM - 12.3 million; 9:00-9:30 - 12.2 mil.; and 9:30-10:00 PM - 12.2 mill.) while Jeter remained in the game.
· The MLB All-Star Game is the highest-rated All-Star event among major sports this year (Pro Bowl is No. 2 at 6.6/10).
· Host city Minneapolis/St. Paul led all markets with a 16.6 rating, +57% from 2013 and the market's best ASG rating since 2008. Detroit followed with a 15.1, then St. Louis (14.3); Pittsburgh (12.4 - best since host year 2006); Milwaukee (12.0, +58% vs. 2013, the biggest year-to-year increase by any metered market); New York (11.9 - +5% vs. 2013, best since 2010); Cincinnati (11.6 - next year's All-Star host city); Kansas City (11.3); Dayton (10.4); and Cleveland (10.3). Most are markets that feature a FOX-owned regional sports network.
· Audience figures for FOX Deportes are expected later today.
About FOX Sports
FOX Sports is the umbrella entity representing 21st Century FOX's wide array of multi-platform US-based sports assets. Built with brands capable of reaching more than 100 million viewers in a single weekend, FOX Sports includes ownership and interests in linear television networks, digital and mobile programming, broadband platforms, multiple web sites, joint-venture businesses and several licensing partnerships. FOX Sports includes the sports television arm of the FOX Broadcasting Company; FOX Sports 1, FOX Sports 2; FOX Sports Regional Networks, their affiliated regional web sites and national programming; FOX Soccer Plus; FOX Deportes and FOX College Sports. In addition, FOX Sports also encompasses FOX Sports Digital, which includes FOXSports.com on MSN, FOX Sports GO, Whatifsports.com and Yardbarker.com. Also included in the Group are FOX's interests in joint-venture businesses Big Ten Network, BTN 2Go and STATS, LLC, as well as a licensing agreement that establish the FOX Sports Radio Network.
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