The Kansas City Royals put away the Baltimore Orioles in the American League Championship Series to reach their first World Series 1985, ending TBS’s exclusive coverage of the 2014 junior circuit postseason action in the process.

Despite the ALCS sweep by the smallest market pairings ever – KC is Nielsen market No. 31, while the Baltimore DMA ranks 26th -- and similar on-field outcomes during the two AL Division Series, TBS closed the Nielsen books on the 2014 postseason by averaging 4.3 million viewers, its most-viewed MLB playoffs since 2010.  According to Nielsen data, TBS’s delivery for its 10-game schedule, including the Wild Card game, was up 3% from the 4.16 million watchers it registered in 2013, when it had all four Division Series and the National League Championship Series under the contract that expired last season.

TBS won the night across cable television six times during the 2014 MLB postseason and delivered growth across all key demos.

However, the numbers figured to have been much higher, as 2014 marked the first time in postseason history all three American League series ended in sweeps. Additionally, approximately only half of TBS’s postseason games aired in primetime compared with two-thirds of the network’s 24 telecasts running in primetime during the 2013 MLB playoffs.

With 4 million tuning in the Royals’ clincher on Wednesday afternoon, the ALCS averaged 5.07 viewers for four game telecasts, up 2% over the network’s six-game NLCS series in 2013 in which the St. Louis Cardinals took out the Los Angeles Dodgers. Game 4 was up 8% from the 3.7 million for Game 5 of the 2013 NLCS in the corresponding Wednesday afternoon window .

TBS’s ALCS primetime pair of games this year averaged 5.96 million viewers and a 3.7 U.S. household rating, up 8% and 6% respectively over TBS’ primetime telecasts in 2013. The network’s two afternoon telecasts during the ALCS averaged 4.14 million total viewers and a 2.6 rating, up 15% and 8% over the network’s afternoon windows in 2013.  Last year’s NLCS had four primetime contests and two afternoon affairs.

All told, TBS’s ALCS coverage averaged a 3.2 rating and the network’s overall 2014 MLB postseason telecasts averaged a 2.7 U.S. mark, both even with last year.

The Baltimore Orioles are on the wrong end of the score line, but TBS continues to register Nielsen success with its coverage of the American League Championship Series.

TBS scored a 3.8 U.S. household rating that translated into 6 million viewers on average with its Oct. 14 telecast of Game 3 during which the Kansas City Royals, continuing their defensive wizadry this time courtesy of Mike Moustakas (pictured), pushed the O's to the edge of extinction with their 2-1 triumph.

The deliveries marked a 23% ratings rise from the 3.1 for the corresponding game of the 2013  National League Championship Series between the St. Louis Cardinals and Los Angeles Dodgers, while the audience grew 25% from the 4.8 million, according to Nielsen data.

Tuesday night’s ALCS Game 3 peaked with a 4.5 rating and 7.19 million viewers in the 10:15 p.m. (ET) quarter hour. Based on metered market ratings, TBS's LACS coverage gave it the night across all of cable television.

Through the three Royals wins, TBS has averaged a 3.3 rating and 5.35 million viewers, up 6% and 13%, respectively from the 3.1 and 4.75 million for Cards-Dodgers a year ago.

The battle of mid-sized market teams -- KC is 31st, while the Baltimore DMA ranks 26th among Nielsen's metered markets -- continues on Oct. 15 at 4 p.m. with the O's looking to stave off elimination.

§  TBS’ exclusive coverage of the ALCS is averaging 5,349,000 total viewers through three games, up 13% over an average of 4,746,000 total viewers for the network’s comparable LCS game telecasts last year (Dodgers/Cardinals).  This year’s corresponding 3.3 U.S. HH rating is up 6% over a 3.1 U.S. HH rating to date in 2013. Additionally, the 2014 ALCS is driving growth across all key demos including an 11% increase in People 18-49 vs. 2013. 

TBS’s exclusive coverage of the American League Championship Series Game 3 between the Baltimore Orioles and Kansas City Royals delivered an average of 6.0 million total viewers, up 25% over the network’s comparable LCS telecast last year (Los Angeles Dodgers vs. St. Louis – 4.8 million total viewers).  This year’s corresponding 3.8 U.S. HH rating is up 23% over a 3.1 U.S. HH rating in 2013.

·      Kansas City and Baltimore represent the two smallest combined market sizes in ALCS history.

·      Kansas City ranks 31st among the 56 metered markets, last among all A.L. teams with 923,000 households. Baltimore ranks 26th among the metered markets and 14th in the America League, only slightly ahead of the Royals.

·      This year’s market sizes for the ALCS are 70% smaller than the network’s comparable coverage of the 2013 NLCS (Los Angeles vs. St. Louis) based on available television households — 2,015,910 vs. 6,750,660.

·      L.A. alone is nearly triple the size of the combined markets this year (5,523,800 vs. 2,015,910) or 63% larger when compared with 2014.

Last night’s ALCS Game 3 peaked with a 4.5 U.S. HH rating and 7,187,000 total viewers from 10:15-10:30 p.m. ET.  Based on metered market ratings, TBS won the night across all of cable television.