CivicScience reports 47% of U.S. adults will follow MLB at least somewhat closely this season, confirmed by CivicScience during the first full week of the 2026 season. Broadcast and distribution changes accompanied the rise; the season opened with an exclusive streaming opening-night game and some teams moved to direct-to-consumer streaming, claimed by the article. The article says the 2026 season introduced the new ABS challenge system, which coincided with the spike in intent and appeared alongside early matchups such as cubs - rays.
CivicScience 47% Survey Results
CivicScience confirmed that 47% of U.S. adult respondents report they will follow the MLB season at least somewhat closely, confirmed by CivicScience and described as the highest level yet observed by CivicScience. CivicScience also confirmed the 47% figure is up from 35% ahead of the 2025 season. CivicScience reported demographic breakdowns: intent is strongest among Gen Z adults ages 18-29 and Millennials ages 30-44, and CivicScience confirmed gender differences with men at 53% and women at 40% for planning to follow MLB at least somewhat closely.
ABS Challenge System Effect
The article says the ABS challenge system allows batters, pitchers, and catchers to challenge individual ball-and-strike calls, claimed by the article as a new rule change introduced in 2026. CivicScience confirmed viewership drivers shifted: the percentage of fans citing rule changes as a primary reason for watching jumped from 14% in 2025 to 21% in 2026, confirmed by CivicScience. CivicScience confirmed mixed responses to ABS specifically: 21% of MLB watchers say they are more likely to watch because of ABS, 15% of MLB watchers say they are less likely to tune in because of ABS, and 63% of MLB watchers say ABS has no impact on their viewing. CivicScience further confirmed that intent to watch as a result of ABS rises to 47% among Americans who follow MLB very closely.
Netflix and Streaming Shifts
The article says MLB’s season opened with a streaming-exclusive opening-night game, claimed by the article, and the article says some teams are moving to direct-to-consumer streaming. Exclusive CivicScience data found a noteworthy share of MLB fans planned to subscribe to a new streaming service specifically to watch games this year, confirmed by CivicScience. CivicScience confirmed that women led the share of MLB fans planning to subscribe to a new streaming service specifically to watch games this year. CivicScience confirmed other motivational shifts: personal connection to a team or player and access to broadcasts of favorite teams declined year over year, while in-game excitement managed a marginal 1-point gain. The article reports MLB betting intent is also trending upward this season, claimed by the article.
CivicScience is the named source for the core figures but the timing of any follow-up CivicScience release is not specified; it is unknown when CivicScience will publish its next update, which the article does not state. That open timing remains the specific unanswered item for readers seeking further changes in intent or demographic shifts.
