NEW YORK (AP) — Major League Baseball’s viewer numbers in the United States and Japan during the first two months of the season have seen double-digit increases, MLB and Nielsen reported Tuesday.
ESPN's coverage is up 22%, averaging 1.74 million viewers. It is the most-watched season on ESPN through the first two months since 2017.
This might be the last year ESPN is carrying baseball after it opted out of its rights deal in February.
The MLB Tuesday package on TBS has a 16% increase. Fox Sports is up 10%, averaging 1.84 million viewers per game.
Last Saturday night's 18-2 rout by the Los Angeles Dodgers over the New York Yankees averaged 2.2 million on Fox.
The MLB.TV streaming package has seen its viewers increase 27%, with more than 7.5 billion minutes watched through Monday.
Games on the NHK channels in Japan are averaging 2.7 million. The average does not include the Tokyo Series games between the Dodgers and Chicago Cubs which began the regular season.
The ratings are on pace for MLB's most-watched regular season in Japan as the audience has increased every year since 2021.
On MLB.TV, streaming viewership has increased 27% vs 2024, which was the most-watched season in the history of the service. For games through Monday, June 2, MLB.TV has more than 7.5 billion minutes watched this season.
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani rounds the bases on a solo home run in the seventh inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets, Monday, June 2, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jayne Kamin-Oncea)
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — De’Aaron Fox scored 24 points and the San Antonio Spurs won their first game since Victor Wembanyama injured his left knee, beating the Indiana 123-113 on Friday night for the Pacers' 11th straight loss.
Wembanyama hyperextended his knee Wednesday night in a home victory over New York. An MRI showed no ligament damage and the 7-foot-4 center stayed in San Antonio to rehabilitate the injury.
Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said Wembanyama is day-to-day but wouldn’t rule out the possibility he could play against Portland on Saturday night in San Antonio. The Spurs are 10-3 with Wembanyama doesn’t play.
Dylan Harper added 22 points for the Spurs, and Stephon Castle had 19.
Pascal Siakam led Indiana with 23 points and 10 rebounds. Andrew Nembhard had 19 points, and Micah Potter added 16 in his first start in five games with Pacers.
The Pacers shot 51% while the Spurs made 44% overall. San Antonio made 22 of 28 free throws while Indiana was 13 of 15.
The Spurs scored the first six points of the third quarter to to make it 77-58. The Pacers regrouped to cut it to 93-85 after three quarters. San Antonio maintained control throughout the fourth quarter.
Spurs Host Portland on Saturday night.
Pacers: At Orlando on Sunday.
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba
Indiana Pacers guard Aaron Nesmith (23) shoots during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the San Antonio Spurs in Indianapolis, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler)
Indiana Pacers forward Pascal Siakam (43) makes contact with San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle (5) as he drives to the basket during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Indianapolis, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler)
San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle, right, tips a rebound in to score during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Indiana Pacers in Indianapolis, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler)
San Antonio Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson gestures during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Indiana Pacers in Indianapolis, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler)
San Antonio Spurs forward Kelly Olynyk, right, scores over the top of Indiana Pacers center James Wiseman (11) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Indianapolis, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler)
