World Series Game 1 draws record-low viewers

The opening game of the 2020 World Series that saw the Los Angeles Dodgers jump out to a 1-0 advantage over the Tampa Bay Rays set a record that nobody linked with the league will want to dwell on. 

The Associated Press (h/t ESPN) reported on Wednesday that an average of 9.195 million viewers tuned in to watch the Fox broadcast of Game 1 of the Fall Classic, an all-time low for a Series contest. Game 3 of the 2008 World Series between the Rays and Philadelphia Phillies drew an average of 9.836 million viewers, the previous low before Tuesday's underwhelming numbers. 

It wasn't all bad news for Fox, though, as the channel won the prime-time competition among broadcast rivals. 

To compare, an average of 12.283 million viewers watched Game 1 of the 2019 World Series between the Houston Astros and Washington Nationals. 

Television ratings for sports broadcasts have generated headlines and numerous discussions throughout the coronavirus pandemic. NASCAR's return in May produced a massive win in TV ratings, and UFC 251 in July reportedly drew 1.3 million pay-per-view buys, only the sixth time in history the promotion had hit that mark. 

However, ratings for NBA and NFL games dipped amid coverage of the ongoing election season. One NBA agent recently blamed the Association's ties to the "Black Lives Matter" movement for the league's television struggles.