All-Star Game scores ratings home run

[cal04]

http://nz.news.yahoo.com/a/-/entertainment/5730686/allstar-game-scores-ratings-home-run/

Fox's telecast of the 2009 Major League Baseball All-Star Game delivered an average audience of 14.6 million viewers, making it the most-watched midsummer classic since 2002.

Tuesday night's contest now stands as the sixth-most-watched sporting event of 2009, trailing Super Bowl XLIII, which drew a record 98.7 million viewers to NBC on Feb. 1; the NCAA National Championship Game (17.6 million); the Kentucky Derby (16.3 million); Game 4 of the NBA Finals and the Daytona 500 (both drew 16 million).

The game, which cruised along at a brisk 2 hours and 31 minutes, saw the American League defeat the National League 4-3, to extend their unbeaten streak to 13. The victory once again gives the AL home-field advantage in the World Series, a wrinkle that was introduced by Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig in 2003, following an unpopular decision to call the prior year's All-Star Game after 11 innings.

The pre-game show, which culminated in President Obama's ceremonial first pitch, drew 11.2 million viewers, making it the most-watched All-Star Game place-setter in seven years. (Fox's camera angle was a little dicey, but Cardinals star Albert Pujols later refuted talk that Obama had bounced the ball over the plate. "It was in the air the whole way," Pujols said during a post-game press conference. "I scooted up a little bit, but I think I was going to catch it no matter what. It was a great pitch.")

[lindisfarne]

1. Ironic that Obama raised Fox's ratings.& that being there helped Obama's with more conservative end

I can't back up the 2nd with hard numbers (maybe they'll show up) but I suspect it helped a bit.

[sandnsea]

2. Willie Mays on Air Force One Video

and Obama in the Fox Booth

http://www.obama-mamas.com/blog/?p=312

[Pirate Smile]

3. I probably wouldn't of even thought to flip over to it except I knew Obama was going to

be throwing out the first pitch and then later chatting with the announcers. I'm not surprised the ratings were better then normal.

[Cant trust em]

4. The President in the booth was great.

I love that guy.

[timeforpeace]

5. And it wasn't because of the baseball being played.