MLB Speedway Classic viewership disappoints

The Speedway Classic struggled to attract viewers, hampered by weather delays.

MLB Speedway Classic fails to impress in audience numbers

The Braves-Reds MLB Speedway Classic, held at Bristol Motor Speedway, drew an average of 1.6 million viewers over two days, according to FOX. Rain led to a delay exceeding two hours and a subsequent postponement. Coverage during the rain delay even attracted 1.8 million viewers. In comparison, the previous weekend's regular MLB matchup garnered 2.02 million viewers. Notably, other recent MLB special events performed better, like the Giants-Cardinals tribute that secured 2.35 million viewers. The Speedway Classic was outperformed by ESPN's Sunday Night Baseball broadcast, which averaged 2.03 million. This year's Sunday night games have seen a 7% increase in viewership compared to last year, reaching their highest averages since 2017.

The disappointing viewership figures for the MLB Speedway Classic raise questions about the event's format and scheduling. The combination of unexpected weather delays and lower-than-expected audience engagement highlights a trend where special events may not resonate as strongly with fans as traditional games do. The contrast between this event and EPSN's robust viewership suggests that MLB faces a challenge in capturing audience interest in novelty matchups, particularly when weather chaos disrupts plans. The league may need to reconsider its approach to these high-profile games to ensure they draw in larger crowds.

Highlights

MLB must adapt its strategy to boost viewership in future special events.