NBC and FOX both saw declining ratings for NFL coverage on Sunday, while CBS’ lone telecast drew a double-digit increase.
FOX drew the two highest overnights of the weekend on the strength of NFL coverage. As mentioned earlier, FOX drew a season high 17.0/31 overnight rating for Cowboys/Steelers on Sunday afternoon, surpassing the previous season high of 16.8 for Cowboys/Giants in November. The 17.0 overnight marks an 8% decline from an 18.4 for the comparable Patriots/Steelers game in ’07.
The game drew a 35.9 in Dallas, and a whopping 44.8 in Pittsburgh.
Early game coverage on FOX drew an 11.7/23 overnight, down 16% from a 13.9 for coverage in the same timeslot last year, when the network aired only one game.
On CBS, single game coverage drew an 11.6/23 overnight rating, up 29% from a 9.0 for the first game of a doubleheader last year. CBS was the only NFL rightsholder to see increased ratings on Sunday.
On Sunday night, NBC drew a 9.3/15 overnight for Sunday Night Football, featuring Washington hosting Baltimore. The 9.3 overnight was off 2% from a 9.5 for Colts/Ravens in ’07. The game drew a 38.6/50 in Baltimore and a 26.8/38 in Washington.
Overnight ratings for NFL games on Sunday.
11.7/23: Regional (Sun., 12/7, 1 PM FOX)
11.6/23: Regional (Sun., 12/7, 1 PM CBS)
17.0/31: Cowboys/Steelers (Sun., 12/7, 4:15 PM FOX)
9.3/15: Ravens/Washington (Sun., 12/7, 8:30 PM NBC)
