Delays cut into Series ratings

Wednesday’s broadcast of Game 5’s conclusion -- in which the Philadelphia Phillies won the World Series by beating the Tampa Bay Rays -- drew 19.8 million viewers with an 11.9 rating, Nielsen Media Research said. Monday’s broadcast of the first-ever suspended World Series game drew 13.2 million viewers and generated an 8.2 rating.

When put together, Fox said Game 5 was 17% lower in ratings and drew a 14% smaller audience than the last Game 5 to decide a Series -- the 2006 game broadcast in which the Cardinals beat the Tigers. That generated a 10.3 rating and drew 16.3 million viewers.

-- Greg Johnson