Home BaseballSt. Louis Cardinals Cardinals TV Ratings Rank No. 1 in MLB for Second Straight Season

Cardinals TV Ratings Rank No. 1 in MLB for Second Straight Season

Cardinals viewership on Bally Sports Midwest increases 31% and hits highest level since 2016

by St. Louis Cardinals

A season filled with memorable moments led to a 31% increase in viewership for Cardinals baseball this season.

Viewership of Cardinals telecasts on Bally Sports Midwest reached its highest level since 2016, according to Nielsen Media Research data, and Cardinals local television ratings ranked No. 1 in Major League Baseball for the second straight year.

“This season was filled with magic, from Albert’s return to Yadi’s and Waino’s milestones to MVP-caliber play from Goldy and Arenado,” said Bally Sports Midwest general manager and senior vice president Jack Donovan. “It’s been a privilege to bring so many unforgettable moments to Cardinals fans. We salute our production and broadcast team for their tremendous work. And most of all, we thank Cardinal Nation for tuning in day after day.”

By the numbers

Cardinals telecasts averaged 91,000 households and 141,000 viewers in the St. Louis DMA in 2022. That’s up 31% from 2021, and the most since 2016. Across all of Cardinal Nation throughout the region, an estimated total of more than 225,000 viewers tuned in to each game. Bally Sports Midwest carried 147 regular-season games in 2022, its 29th season as the home of the Cardinals.

Number 1 in baseball

The Cardinals’ local television ratings on Bally Sports Midwest ranked No. 1 among Major League Baseball teams for the second straight year and fourth time in five seasons. It’s the 23rd consecutive year the team placed in the top four in MLB (2000-2022).

Number 1 in prime time

Cardinals baseball was the No. 1 programming in prime time in St. Louis during baseball season for the 13th straight year. On each of the last 36 nights the Cardinals played on Bally Sports Midwest, Cardinals baseball ranked as the No. 1 program in prime time in St. Louis.

Postseason coverage

Bally Sports Midwest’s coverage will continue in the postseason. The Cardinals Live postgame show will air on Bally Sports Midwest after every postseason game, providing analysis from the broadcasters who know the Cardinals best. For the Wild Card Series, Jim Hayes, Dan McLaughlin and Rick Horton will report from inside Busch Stadium, with Alexa Datt and Brad Thompson hosting in studio at Ballpark Village.

Top games of 2022

The most-watched games on Bally Sports Midwest this season included Albert Pujols’ return on opening day (April 7), Adam Wainwright and Yadier Molina setting the all-time battery record, and the division clincher.

Most-watched Cardinals games of 2022 on Bally Sports Midwest
Game STL Viewers (P2+)
April 7 vs. Pittsburgh (opening day) 246,000
Aug. 7 vs. Yankees (series sweep) 225,000
Sept. 14 vs. Milwaukee (Wainwright-Molina record) 216,000
Aug. 21 at Arizona (seventh straight win) 215,000
Sept. 27 at Milwaukee (division clinch) 214,000

All data is courtesy of Nielsen Media Research. Ratings data does not include streamers on the Bally Sports app.

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