- Average 543,000 total viewers tuned in for Yankees’ opening day defeat to Toronto Blue Jays
- YES averaged 416,000 total viewers for first week of 2012 campaign
- Network confirmed deal with Amazon in March to show 21 games this year
The YES Network has had its best opening week broadcasting New York Yankees games in nine years.
According to Nielsen, the regional sports network (RSN) averaged 391,000 total viewers in the New York designated market area (DMA) for its first six Yankees telecasts of the 2021 Major League Baseball (MLB) season.
The network’s coverage was headlined by an average audience of 543,000 total viewers for the Yankees’ opening day defeat to the Toronto Blue Jays, which ranked as YES’ most-viewed weekday afternoon season-opening broadcast ever.
YES’ next best figures for an opening week of an MLB season came in 2012, when the network averaged 416,000 total viewers.
This year, YES agreed a deal with Amazon for the internet giant to show 21 Yankees games, having pushed back plans last year due to Covid-19. The first of these will be the Yankees’ fixture against the Tampa Bay Rays on 18th April.
The Yankees, who are ranked by both Sportico and Forbes as the most valuable MLB franchise, started their 2021 campaign by winning three and losing three of their first six games. They next face the Toronto Blue Jays on 12th April.
