MLS viewership rises as Jays’ TV numbers slump

Toronto FC and the Blue Jays are at different ends of the standings and their TV numbers have gone up and down as a result. But the Jays’TV audience continues to dwarf that of the MLS team. Canada’s struggling baseball team, from April through July, averaged 706,300 viewers compared to 895,400 over the same time period last season, according to Sportsnet. TSN says TFC games on TSN/CTV are averaging 93,000 viewers this year in terms of total audience, compared to 59,000 over the same time period last season. The Whitecaps’ season average is 86,000, compared to 69,000 in 2016. The Montreal Impact are averaging 80,000, compared to 73,000 last season. All three teams have seen double-digit increases in the 18-34 demographic over the same period last season: Toronto FC up 39 per cent, Montreal Impact up 22 per cent, and the Vancouver Whitecaps up 12 per cent.