Major League Baseball’s postseason has been a blessing for Fox Sports One. The network has had its ups and downs since its inception, but its coverage of the 2014 MLB playoffs have resulted in a notable surge in ratings. Since the 2014-15 television season began just three weeks ago (TV seasons apparently line up with the start of hockey season), FS1 claims it has been the fastest growing network in America.

The MLB playoffs have led to a few notable records on FS1. Game 2 between the San Francisco Giants and the St. Louis Cardinals in the NLCS averaged just over 4.3 million viewers, marking the first time FS1 broke the 4 million viewer plateau. On a total day basis over the last few weeks, FS1 says it has increased its average audience by 175,000 viewers.

FS1 has a ton of positives to brag about thanks to the MLB playoffs, but this all comes back to an issue we’ve been preaching here for quite some time. Live events boost ratings. It’s that simple. ESPN and other networks have thrived due to their coverage of live sporting events. FS1 has struggled to find a hold in the market during their first 14 months because their live event offerings have been limited. The MLB postseason has changed that, but FS1 will have to continue to win rights battles in order to remain a serious competitor and for this to become more than just a one-time occurrence.

[Fox Sports]

About David Rogers

Editor for The Comeback and Contributing Editor for Awful Announcing. Lover of hockey, soccer and all things pop culture.