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The Cardinals have been on a massive decline in ratings for their local television package, which had its worst figure this year in records that stretch to 1990. Over the past two seasons, they have lost nearly half the audience that was watching in 2022, an alarming figure fueled by several factors highlighted by distribution problems and substandard on-field performances.

But while ºüÀêÊÓƵ audiences have been turning away from the Cardinals, they remain interested in the World Series — which, unlike their local telecasts, is widely available on free, over-the air television via Fox (KTVI, Channel 2 locally.)

Nielsen, which tabulates viewership, reports that 8.2% of the market tuned in on average to the Los Angeles Dodgers’ recent conquest of the New York Yankees in five games. That tied for 10th nationally, with Phoenix and West Palm Beach, Florida. It marks at least the 15th consecutive season the Gateway City has been in the top 15 (figures are available dating to 2010) and the 12th time in that span it has been in the top 10.

Los Angeles led the way this year (18.9 rating), followed by San Diego (12.4) and New York (12.2).

Nationally, the Series averaged 15.81 million viewers — the most since Houston beat the Dodgers in a seven-game matchup in 2017 — and was up significantly from the record-low audience of 9.08 million last year for Texas’ ouster of Arizona in five games.

In Japan, home of Dodgers standouts Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto — each of whom was making his first World Series appearance — this year’s Series telecasts averaged 12.9 million viewers. That’s despite the contests beginning just after 9 a.m. local time there.

Meanwhile, ºüÀêÊÓƵ’ strength in MLB All-Star Game ratings even outpaces its World Series performances.

Despite only one Cardinal being selected for this year’s Summer Classic, and that player (pitcher Ryan Helsley) pulling out the day before it was played to rest his arm, the Gateway City finished sixth nationally in ratings for the contest.

That extended ºüÀêÊÓƵ streak of top 10 rankings nationally to each of the 22 All-Star contests in records dating to 2002. The market has been first 10 times, second on five others and third twice. That’s 77% of the contests being in the top three.