Dodgers-Cubs Tokyo Series Opener Draws Record 25 Million Viewers

The Tokyo Series opener between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago Cubs set a record with over 25 million viewers in Japan, marking it as the most-watched MLB game in the country's history. This surpassed the previous record of 18.7 million viewers for last year's Seoul Series. The games featured notable Japanese players, including Shohei Ohtani, and highlighted the increasing popularity of MLB in Japan, with one in five citizens tuning in. In contrast, viewership in the U.S. was significantly lower, averaging 590,000 for the two games. The success of the Tokyo Series is attributed to the Dodgers' major investments and the star power of players like Ohtani. Overall, the event demonstrated a revitalization of interest in baseball, challenging the narrative that the sport is declining.