March roared like a lion for FS1. As the network aired the World Baseball Classic, the games led to some really good numbers for the network. FS1 aired the WBC both in primetime and late night and it led to people watching its daytime lineup of The Carton Show, Undisputed, The Herd With Colin Cowherd, First Things First and Speak.
According to Fox, the numbers for Undisputed, The Herd and FTF were very good. Fox Sports ratings guru Michael Mulvihill notes that FS1 saw a ratings bump of 47 percent which he states is the best March on record for the network.
Who’s Up: FS1. Total day viewing up an eye-catching +47% in March on the back of the World Baseball Classic and the best March on record for @undisputed @TheHerd and @FTFonFS1 https://t.co/twIehpF4rQ
— Michael Mulvihill (@mulvihill79) April 6, 2023
With Undisputed with Shannon Sharpe and Skip Bayless up 8 percent from last year, The Herd up by 17 percent and First Things First increasing by a whopping 95 percent, these are increases that any network would yearn for.
March was also good for The Carton Show seeing its best ratings to date. It’s no wonder that Fox is offering a Brinks Truck load of money to lure him away from WFAN.
And Mulvihill says live sports programming on both Big Fox and FS1 have led to increased viewership across the board thanks to the Super Bowl back in February and the WBC. He says viewership on FS1, FS2 and Fox Deportes all benefited from March baseball in the first quarter of 2023.
Good growth in live sports consumption across the FOX networks in 1st quarter: FOX +62% vs. 2022, FS1 +24%, FS2 +90%, Fox Deportes +244%(!!)
Kinda helps to have the Super Bowl! Less obviously, the World Baseball Classic really provided a boost on the cable side.
— Michael Mulvihill (@mulvihill79) April 6, 2023
Overall, FS1 is reaping the rewards of airing a once-in-a-generation event in the World Baseball Classic and having the final on cable rather on broadcast. Fox Sports execs are celebrating the increased viewership and hoping that eyeballs stay on their daytime lineup.
[Mike Mulvihill Twitter]
About Ken Fang
Ken has been covering the sports media in earnest at his own site, Fang's Bites since May 2007 and at Awful Announcing since March 2013.
He provides a unique perspective having been an award-winning radio news reporter in Providence and having worked in local television.
Fang celebrates the four Boston Red Sox World Championships in the 21st Century, but continues to be a long-suffering Cleveland Browns fan.