Despite finishing down from last year and behind competitors FOX and NBC, CBS drew three of the four largest audiences for NFL games this season.
For the season, CBS averaged a 10.0/21 rating and 16.2 million viewers for its NFL coverage, down 3% and 2% from a 10.3 with 16.6 million last year. The 10.0 average is the second-highest of the decade for the NFL on CBS, and marks only the fourth time since 1998 that the network has averaged a double-digit rating for its NFL coverage.
CBS aired three of the four highest rated NFL games during the 2008 season, drawing a 15.4 for Jets/Broncos and Patriots/Steelers on November 30, a 15.3 for Jets/Patriots on September 14, and a 14.7 for Ravens/Steelers on December 14.
On the studio side, The NFL Today averaged a 2.7/7 rating during the 2008 season, up 4% from a 2.6 last year.
Highest average ratings for NFL on CBS since 1998.
1999: 10.5.
1998: 10.3.
2007: 10.3.
2008: 10.0.
2006: 9.8.
