While CBS did not quite attract the huge numbers of FOX and NBC on Sunday, the network still managed an impressive rise in overnight ratings for Week 1 of the NFL season.
Sunday’s Week 1 NFL singleheader on CBS (featuring Bengals/Patriots) drew a 10.6 overnight rating, up 29% from coverage featuring Jets/Texans last year (8.2), down 4% from coverage featuring Jets/Dolphins in 2008 (11.0) and even with coverage featuring Patriots/Jets in 2007 (10.6).
The 10.6 is the highest for the NFL singleheader window since Week 15 last year (11.9).
Additionally, the 29% increase is the largest of any window during Week 1, topping the 28% rise for Thursday’s Vikings/Saints game. Cowboys/Washington was up 24%, the national window was up 14% and the regional window was down 4%.
CBS earned the second-lowest overnight of the day for NFL coverage, behind the national window on FOX (17.1) and Sunday Night Football on NBC (16.6). The regional window on FOX drew a 9.0.
