NFL Network’s eight-game slate of NFL action opened with a double-digit rise in both ratings and viewership Thursday night.
The Falcons’ win over the Ravens earned a 3.1 U.S. rating and 5.008 million viewers on NFL Network Thursday night, up 29% in ratings and 28% in viewership from last year (CHI/SF: 2.4, 3.899 mil), and up 63% and 62%, respectively, from 2008 (DEN/CLE: 1.9, 3.083 mil).
Ravens/Falcons ranks as the most-viewed NFL Network season debut since the network acquired NFL rights in 2006.
Of course, Thursday’s matchup easily ranks as the lowest rated, least-viewed NFL telecast of the season. The previous low was a comparably massive 6.2 and 9.666 million for Titans/Jaguars on ESPN in October.
Even if low by NFL standards, the game fared well versus its sports competition — topping its closest competitor (TNT’s Celtics/Heat NBA game) by 14% in ratings and 18% in viewership.
