A battle of NFC West opponents was anything but a ratings magnet for FOX Sunday afternoon.
The first game of Sunday’s NFL doubleheader on FOX, featuring 49ers/Rams in 61% of TV markets, earned an 8.8 overnight rating — down 26% from Week 16 last year (BAL/PIT*: 11.9, CBS), but up 10% from Week 16 in 2008 (AZ/NE*: 8.0, FOX).
The 8.8 overnight is the third-lowest of the season for the NFL on broadcast TV, and the second-lowest on FOX.
Overnights dropped for the second half of the doubleheader, though not by nearly as much.
The Week 16 NFL national window, featuring Giants/Packers in 90% of TV markets, drew a 15.6 overnight rating — down 5% from last year (DEN/PHI*: 16.4, CBS), and up 13% from 2008 (ATL/MIN*: 13.8, FOX).
The 15.6 overnight is one of just five NFL national windows this season (16 telecasts) to draw less than a 16.0 overnight.
(Ratings from Sports Business Daily)
