Apparently, off-field issues are making an on-air impact. Hurt by a record number of player withdrawals, the 2011 MLB All-Star Game earned its lowest overnight TV rating ever. The game’s 7.9 overnight rating was down 13.2% from last year’s All-Star Game and down 37% from the contest a decade ago.
And the ratings problem isn’t limited to the All-Star Game. The Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Mets, both embroiled in ownership scandals, are seeing sharp drops in TV ratings as well. Dodgers ratings on FS Prime Ticket are down 27%, while Mets games on SNY are off 29% from last year. All told, more half of the league’s 30 teams are experiencing ratings declines on the year.
