(AP Photo/Eric Gay)

World Series TV ratings at highest level since '04

PHILADELPHIA (AP) World Series television ratings are at their highest levels in five years.

The New York Yankees' 8-5 win over Philadelphia on Saturday night in Game 3 received a 9.1 rating and 18 share, Fox said Sunday.

It was up 49 percent from the 6.1/13 for the Phillies' 5-4 victory over Tampa Bay in Game 3 last year, which also was delayed by rain. This was the most-watched Saturday Series game since the Chicago White Sox beat Houston 5-3 in the 2005 opener.

The three-game average of 10.9/19 is up 42 percent from the 7.7/14 for the opening three games last year and the highest three-game average since a 15.0/25 for the Boston-St. Louis matchup in 2004.

The rating is the percentage of television households tuned to a program. The share is the percentage of homes watching among those with TVs on.

Updated November 1, 2009