MLB television ratings surge 44% through early part of the season ahead of potential lockout
Major League Baseball is booming. And they better not mess it up.
A few years ago, MLB and Commissioner Rob Manfred enacted changes in an effort to speed up the game through a better tempo of play, reducing the time it takes to end each game while maintaining the same amount of action in baseball.
The pitch clock instantly reduced their playing time and, more importantly, made them feel faster. Physically larger bases were introduced to encourage more stolen base attempts, which worked immediately. There were 3,297 attempted stolen bases leaguewide in 2022, the last season before larger bases. In 2023, this number was 4,369. Nearly 1,100 more attempts in just one year.
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Major League Baseball Commissioner Robert D. Manfred Jr. speaks during the 2024 Grapefruit League Spring Training Media Day at George M. Steinbrenner Field on February 15, 2024 in Tampa, Florida. (Mike Carlson/MLB Photos)
Banning excessive infield changes meant that fewer conventional swings, especially for left-handed hitters, were taken by infielders playing out of position. And in 2026, an automatic ball and strike system was added to eliminate serious missed calls. This was also an exciting success.
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Despite the offseason woes, baseball is in a better place than it has been in decades. Participation is full. Ratings for the World Series in 2025 were very high. The World Baseball Classic has become must-watch TV. Momentum is stronger than it has been in decades. On Wednesday, this was confirmed by the latest viewing data from national broadcasters.
MLB Communications reported that television ratings for “national exclusive” games exploded on the X early in the season. “Viewings of national exclusive MLB games during the first weekend in May were 2.28 million, a +44% increase over last year and the best start in 9 years,” the post says.
This is an incredible increase and comes just a few months after many fans and media members heavily criticized the Los Angeles Dodgers for “ruining” baseball by signing free agents. It’s one thing for outsiders to have these concerns, but reports were rife that opposing teams and their owners would use the Dodgers’ spending to push for the salary cap.
Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrates after hitting a home run in the seventh inning against the Toronto Blue Jays in game three of the 2025 World Series at Dodger Stadium on October 27, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Labor negotiations between the league and the MLB Players Association are expected to begin soon, and a lockout seems almost certain when the Collective Bargaining Agreement expires in December. And if there’s a hard line for players, it’s the salary cap. In their view, the cap would limit their potential gains while providing little benefit in terms of competitive balance. It’s a position bolstered by the current standings, with teams like the Boston Red Sox, Philadelphia Phillies and New York Mets struggling in the first quarter of the season.
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If the cap becomes the top priority of team owners and the players do not accept it, the sport could face a long-term lockout. An extended lockout that would lead to the cancellation of games would be a disaster for baseball and risks jeopardizing the league’s impressive growth.
General view of Petco Park during the game between the Detroit Tigers and San Diego Padres on March 26, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Rob Leiter/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
Baseball is finally heading in the right direction, and hopefully these numbers are enough to make those in charge realize that. And be afraid of squandering it and hurting themselves more than capping player salaries would help them.
