WBC Tops 2005 MLB Ratings On ESPN

(From Sports Business Daily)

ESPN earned a 1.8 cable NIELSEN RATING for the Japan/Cuba final to finish with a 1.1 average for
12 WBC telecasts.

ESPN2 averaged a 0.6 for 20 telecasts.

THE USA TODAY's MICHAEL HIESTAND writes ESPN's 1.1 is "nearly double ESPN's spring training average and above its 1.0 average" for regular-season MLB games in 2005.
[Sad.]

THE USA TODAY's BODLEY AND BARZILlAI note the 39 WBC games drew a total of 737,112 spectators, while the semifinals and final at Petco Park averaged 42,201, "just shy of capacity."

MLB Commissioner BUD SELIG said, "The attendance was about what we figured it would be. We got hurt a little bit by some low attendance in Japan at a couple of games."

Selig added TV ratings "were remarkable."

Selig continued, "When you look at the television ratings in many of the countries, the interest, it's unbelievable. We'll be getting a final report on the overall impact, but I know it will be positive."