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Originally Posted by mytreds
That’s great you feel that way. Unfortunately, the facts differ. TV ratings for MLB playoffs have dropped since the introduction of expanded playoffs. Ironic that the thing that was supposed to increase viewership of the postseason has so far done the exact opposite. In addition to the 2023 World Series being the least watched finale ever, the full MLB Postseason averaged 4.45 million viewers, down 8% from last year (4.86M).
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I wonder how much of that decline is due to an increased number of fans having their team in the postseason or due to MLB generally allowing the product on the field to trend dull, duller, dullest among the sports viewing options for many decades without doing something about it.
MLB should have listened to Bill James decades ago. They have now responded and made their product more watchable. Unfortunately, they will not gain back viewership driven away for decades in a single season. It may take a generation to walk this back. i.e. it may be too late. Even if Brad's perfect playoff format is employed next season it won't change that.