Record Viewership for MLB Postseason: The 2024 MLB postseason has achieved record-breaking viewership, with MLB television ratings in the U.S. reaching impressive levels during the National League Division Series.

Otani’s Impact on Ratings: Fox and FS1 reported their highest viewership since 2015, with nearly 4.1 million viewers tuning in, largely attributed to the popularity of Shohei Otani.

Significant Increase in Viewership: The National League Division Series saw a nearly 19% increase in viewership compared to the previous year, marking the highest ratings since 2017.

Massive Audience for Dodgers vs. Mets: Game one of the National League Championship Series between the Dodgers and the New York Mets attracted almost 8.5 million viewers, the highest for Fox Sports since 2009.

Japanese Viewership Surges: Game five of the NLDS between the Dodgers and the San Diego Padres drew an astonishing 13 million viewers in Japan, highlighting Otani’s immense popularity in his homeland.

International Fan Engagement: The participation of Otani and fellow Japanese player Yoshinobu Yamamoto has significantly increased interest among Japanese fans, with many watching games live despite time zone challenges.

Otani’s Acknowledgment of Fan Support: Shohei Otani expressed gratitude for the support from Japanese fans, recognizing the effort they make to follow MLB games despite the time difference.