Even with a 45-minute weather delay, Monday’s Vikings/Jets game on ESPN drew one of the largest audiences in the history of cable television.
The Jets’ win over the Vikings drew a 10.7 U.S. rating and 17.313 million viewers on ESPN, up 27% in ratings and 32% in viewership from Week 5 last year (NYJ/MIA: 8.4, 13.137 mil) and up 51% and 54%, respectively, from Week 5 in 2008 (MIN/NO: 7.1, 10.975 mil).
Vikings/Jets drew ESPN’s second-highest rating and second-most viewers of the season for Monday Night Football, trailing only Packers/Bears in Week 3 (10.8, 17.454 mil).
Additionally, the game ranks as the sixth most-viewed program in cable television history, behind five other MNF telecasts.
Monday Night Football accounts for seven of the 10 most-viewed programs ever on cable.
So far this season, ESPN is averaging a 9.5 U.S. rating and 15.240 million viewers for Monday Night Football, down a tick in ratings and even in viewership compared to last year (9.6, 15.254 mil).
Ratings/Viewership For Monday Night Football
Through Week 5
| Date | Game | Net | Rating | vs. ’09 | Viewers (000) | vs. ’09 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mon., 9/13/10 | Ravens/Jets | ESPN |
9.4
|
6%
|
14,973
|
7%
|
| Chargers/Chiefs | ESPN |
7.6
|
even
|
11,889
|
even
|
|
| Mon., 9/20/10 | Saints/49ers | ESPN |
9.4
|
even
|
15,120
|
3%
|
| Mon., 9/27/10 | Packers/Bears | ESPN |
10.8
|
9%
|
17,454
|
11%
|
| Mon., 10/4/10 | Patriots/Dolphins | ESPN |
9.0
|
-32%
|
13,971
|
-36%
|
| Mon., 10/11/10 | Vikings/Jets | ESPN |
10.7
|
27%
|
17,313
|
32%
|
(ESPN)
