Rays World Series Draws 43 Percent of Tampa Bay TV Households

WTVT FOX 13 captured 43 percent of all televisions in use during Game 2 of the World Series. The station also logged an 11.8 household rating for that contest, the second game of the series involving the Tampa Bay Rays.

These figures indicate that nearly half of the local audience tuned to the broadcast. Game 1 of the series generated a 12.1 household rating with a 41 share. The share metric represents the portion of households actively watching television at a specific time that selected the program. The rating metric measures the percentage of all television households in the market that watched the program.

The local performance aligns with historical data from previous Rays appearances. During the 2020 World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Tampa-St. Petersburg market averaged a 15.2 household rating for the entire series. The decisive Game 6 of that contest also recorded a 15.2 rating. While viewing habits have changed since 2020, the current numbers confirm sustained interest in the franchise during championship play.

The audience extended beyond the immediate Tampa Bay area. FOX affiliates in other parts of Florida carried the games to widen access. WOFL FOX 35 broadcast the series to the Orlando market. WFTX FOX 4 reached viewers in the Fort Myers-Naples region. Both markets reported strong viewership for the first three games of the current World Series.

The local broadcasts were part of a larger national television event. Game 1 attracted an audience of more than 12 million viewers nationwide. Game 2 drew nearly 11 million viewers. Both games were the most-watched television broadcasts of their respective nights. This national reach provided additional exposure for the Tampa Bay market and the Rays franchise.

The station’s performance reflects the cumulative effect of regular-season coverage. Rays games have been available through local television and streaming platforms throughout the year. This consistent availability helps establish viewing patterns that intensify during the postseason. The current ratings demonstrate that a large audience materializes when the team competes for a championship.

The ratings data for the opening games shows a slight dip in the raw household rating from Game 1 to Game 2. However, the share of active viewers increased from 41 to 43. This shift suggests that while the total number of households watching may have fluctuated, the program held a stronger grip on the audience that remained engaged with their televisions.