With Cam Newton sidelined and a pair of secondary markets excluded, Monday Night Football was not much of a draw in the metered markets.
The Week 5 Buccaneers/Panthers Monday Night Football game had a 6.5 overnight rating on ESPN, down 24% from Steelers/Chargers last year (8.5) and down 28% from Seattle/Washington in 2014 (9.0). According to Sports Business Daily, the 6.5 is the lowest for MNF in Week 5 of the season since ESPN acquired rights.
The Buccaneers’ win, which peaked at a 7.5 from 11:15-11:30 PM ET, earned the second-lowest MNF overnight of the season. Another NFC South matchup, Falcons/Saints, had a 5.7 opposite the first presidential debate in Week 4.
Monday’s low numbers come with the caveat that Orlando and Raleigh-Durham, secondary markets for the Buccaneers and Panthers, respectively, were excluded due to Hurricane Matthew. The markets are expected to be included in the final nationals released later Tuesday.
ESPN’s telecast had a 9.9 rating in Tampa-St. Petersburg and a 9.5 in Charlotte. The game was simulcast on local affiliates in both markets, earning a 6.2 on independent Tampa affiliate WMOR and a 15.1 on Charlotte ABC affiliate WSOC. Outside of the home markets, Greensboro (14.4) topped the charts, followed by New Orleans (13.0) and Greenville (10.6).
(Mon. numbers from ESPN, Sports Business Daily 10/11)
