Skip to main content
Come Fan with UsSunday, June 28, 2026

MLB Network’s First Month Of Ratings: Worse Than Golf Channel

MLB Network launched January 1 of last year, and saw immediate success. It opened to 50 million subscribers, making it the best channel launch in the history of cable. Fans seem to like it, because it shows nothing but baseball, including full games, live look-ins every night and more highlights than you could ever need or want. Even the critics approved, awarding the network with four Sports Emmy Awards (which was a record for a channel in its first year).

↵And now, the numbers are available after the network’s first month of being involved with the Nielsen Ratings. So how good are they? Uh ... they’re not.

↵↵... MLB Network is averaging less than 100,000 viewers in prime time, making its viewership more comparable to channels like Logo and Military Channel than to ESPN or Versus.

↵↵How bad is it? MLB Network was beat in ratings by the Golf Channel, Speed and Versus. In fact, “of the Nielsen-rated sports channels, only Fox Soccer Channel averaged fewer viewers in prime time and single day in April.”

↵Might we suggest less Dan Plesac?

See More:

More in MLB

MLB
Jacob Misiorowski is doing things no pitcher should be able to doJacob Misiorowski is doing things no pitcher should be able to do
MLB

Jacob Misiorowski’s season is flirting with baseball history

By Oliver Fox
MLB
American League contenders ranked by World Series chancesAmerican League contenders ranked by World Series chances
MLB

Let’s rank World Series contenders in the AL.

By Oliver Fox
MLB
Men’s College World Series Finals: What you need to know about UNC-OklahomaMen’s College World Series Finals: What you need to know about UNC-Oklahoma
MLB

Everything you need to know about the Men’s College World Series Finals

By Mark Schofield
MLB
Oklahoma-Georgia gave us an incredible family moment at the Men’s College World SeriesOklahoma-Georgia gave us an incredible family moment at the Men’s College World Series
MLB

Kolby Branch’s final collegiate swing capped off a bittersweet night for the Branch family in Omaha

By Mark Schofield
MLB
Men’s College World Series 2026: Schedule, scores, and how to watchMen’s College World Series 2026: Schedule, scores, and how to watch
MLB

Here is everything you need to know about the 2026 Men’s College World Series, from the full schedule to how to watch

By Mark Schofield
MLB
Owen Hull and UNC knock off West Virginia to advance to the MCWS FinalsOwen Hull and UNC knock off West Virginia to advance to the MCWS Finals
MLB

UNC is headed to the Men’s College World Series Finals after knocking off West Virginia in Omaha

By Mark Schofield