NFL Network ended its run last week with its first and third most watched games of the season.
Last Thursday’s Colts/Jaguars game drew a 2.4 U.S. rating and 3.9 million viewers, down 17% in ratings and 19% in viewers from a 2.9 with 4.8 million for the seventh NFL Network telecast of last season, a Saturday night game between the Cowboys and Panthers.
The 3.9 million viewers is the third most of the season for an NFL Network telecast, behind Patriots/Jets in November and the Ravens/Cowboys game that took place two nights later.
Ravens/Cowboys drew a 3.4 U.S. rating and 5.8 million viewers on NFL Network Saturday night, up 36% in ratings and 28% in viewers from a 2.5 with 4.5 million for the eighth and final NFL Network game in ’07 — Patriots/Giants, which was simulcast on CBS and NBC.
The 5.8 million viewers is the most of the season on NFL Network, and made the game the second most-viewed program on cable last week.
For the season, NFL Network averaged a 2.3 U.S. rating and 3.7 million viewers for eight telecasts, down 15% and 20% from a 2.7 with 4.6 million for eight games last year.
Ratings/viewership for NFL Network telecasts in ’08.
1.9, 3.1 mil: Broncos/Browns (Thu., 11/6, 8 PM NFL Network)
2.7, 4.4 mil: Jets/Patriots (Thu., 11/13, 8 PM NFL Network)
2.1^, 3.2 mil: Bengals/Steelers (Thu., 11/20, 8 PM NFL Network)
1.9, 3.8 mil: Cardinals/Eagles (Thu., 11/27, 8 PM NFL Network)
1.3, 1.9 mil: Raiders/Chargers (Thu., 12/4, 8 PM NFL Network)
2.3, 3.6 mil: Bears/Saints (Thu., 12/11, 8 PM NFL Network)
2.4, 3.9 mil: Colts/Jaguars (Thu., 12/18, 8 PM NFL Network)
3.4, 5.8 mil: Ravens/Cowboys (Sat., 12/20, 8 PM NFL Network)
^ approximate number
