Update: The 2016 Home Run Derby averaged 5.524 million viewers.
Like the NFL’s Pro Bowl, there is always plenty of complaining about the event but the numbers are always relatively very good. I suspect that like the Pro Bowl, it may play pretty well as a family event on a day where there’s no other MLB competition.
After decade-plus lows for 2014’s rain-delayed event, the 2015 event with a new format saw the best viewership since 2008. Last year’s Home Run Derby had two members of the Chicago Cubs (this year’s event has none.)
Home Run Derby viewership 2002-2015:
| Date | Viewers (Millions) |
| 7/13/15 | 7.1 |
| 7/14/14 | 5.4 |
| 7/15/13 | 6.7 |
| 7/9/12 | 6.9 |
| 7/11/11 | 6.7 |
| 7/12/10 | 6.4 |
| 7/13/09 | 8.3 |
| 7/14/08 | 9.1 |
| 7/9/07 | 6.8 |
| 7/10/06 | 6.8 |
| 7/11/05 | 6.3 |
| 7/12/04 | 7.7 |
| 7/14/03 | 5.2 |
| 7/8/02 | 7.7 |