MLB All-Star Game sees first year-to-year ratings gain in 5 years

For the first time in five years, the MLB All-Star Game drew in more viewers than the previous Midsummer Classic.

FOX had a a total audience of 23 million viewers for Tuesday’s All-Star Game, which is 6 percent more than last year’s 21.7 million viewers, according to Nielsen Media data.

Last year, the All-Star Game drew a historically low rating. It was the first time the Midsummer Classic failed to draw in more than 10 million initial viewers and was down 20 percent in total viewers.

Despite the slight increase, “America’s Got Talent” outpaced the 2017 All-Star Game, which ended with American League beating the National League 2-1 in 10 innings in Miami, according to Nielsen data.

The All-Star Game is projected to be FOX’s best night in primetime since Super Bowl LI and the network’s best Tuesday night since Game 6 of the World Series in Nov. 2016.

Kansas City led all markets for the third consecutive year, followed by St. Louis and Cleveland. Chicago didn’t make the top 10 list by Nielsen for the All-Star Game ratings.

The Houston market showed the greatest improvement since last year with a 62 percent increase. Denver and Buffalo markets followed with a 52 percent and 41 percent increase, respectively.

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