Networks Can't Be Happy With Postseason Baseball Developments

Suddenly, the dream baseball scenario for Fox and Turner Sports isn't as rosy as it was at first blush this postseason.

Teams for the top four media markets (New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and Philadelphia) all face elimination in the best-of-five first round of the Major League Baseball playoffs as the Yankees, Angels, Cubs and Phillies are trailing their series two games to none.

That leaves Boston (which will draw viewers across America) and Cleveland, Denver and Phoenix (which won't draw as many viewers away from their home markets) as likely participants in the league championship series.

A Colorado Rockies-Arizona Diamondbacks National League title series was not the envisioned matchup. Fox Sports, however, will be very happy if the Yankees rally against the Indians to meet the Red Sox in the American League Championship Series.

Photo of Boston's Fenway Park by Tom DiPace

Fox and Turner clearly are yearning for the Yankees, Cubs and Phillies to produce miracle comebacks. Major markets drive the train when it comes to postseason television ratings.

View of Chicago's Wrigley Field by Chuck Solomon/Sports Illustrated

Turner is televising the four division series, the first time cable has owned the rights to the entire first round. TBS is paying $728 million for its rights from 2007-2013, while Fox's cost is $1.8 billion over the same time frame (though Fox also broadcasts regular season games).

Network executives are assuredly wearing their rally caps this weekend.