MLB Sees Double-Digit National TV Audience Growth in 2025 Season

Major League Baseball (MLB) experienced a significant surge in television viewership and ballpark attendance during the 2025 season, marking its first sustained growth at the gates since 2005-07. The league's three major national TV partners—ESPN, Fox, and TBS—reported substantial increases in viewership, with ESPN's Sunday Night Baseball up 21%, Fox up 9%, and TBS seeing a 29% rise, aided by Nielsen's expanded viewership metrics that include modern devices. The league credits this growth to rule changes like the pitch clock, which shortened game durations to an average of 2 hours and 38 minutes, making the sport more appealing, as well as standout performances from star players such as Shohei Ohtani, Aaron Judge, and Cal Raleigh. Additionally, MLB is completing new broadcasting rights deals for 2026-28 involving ESPN, NBC, and Netflix, reflecting a strategic shift towards local and digital platforms. Canadian audiences also showed remarkable engagement, highlighted by record-breaking viewership for the Toronto Blue Jays, whose games attracted massive regional audiences and notable gains in younger and female demographics. Overall, these trends demonstrate MLB's successful efforts to modernize and grow its fan base across North America.