Even in the preseason, the NFL is a solid television draw.
Thursday’s Eagles/Colts preseason tilt drew a 4.2/8 final rating and 6.6 million viewers on FOX, up 31% in ratings and 43% in viewers from a 3.2/6 and 4.6 million for 49ers/Bears on the comparable night last year. Keep in mind last year’s game aired opposite the Olympics.
Meanwhile, ESPN drew a 3.1 U.S. rating and 4.6 million viewers for Monday’s Panthers/Giants game, up 24% in ratings and 31% in viewers from a 2.5 and 3.5 million for last year’s comparable Browns/Giants game.
Through four nationally televised games, the 2009 NFL preseason is averaging a 3.8 rating and 5.9 million viewers on NBC, ESPN and FOX. To put that in perspective, the 3.8 rating is double the 1.9 FOX is averaging for regular season MLB coverage. Additionally, the 5.9 million viewers nearly matches the average for the 2008-09 college football bowl season (6 million viewers; 34 games), and tops the average for the 2009 NBA Playoffs (5.4 million viewers; 78 games).
The NFL preseason is also averaging a higher rating and more viewers than the 7-game Stanley Cup Final in June (2.7 rating, 4.9 million viewers on NBC and Versus).
