The second week of the 2011 NFL preseason produced some strong national audiences on NBC, FOX and ESPN.
On Thursday, the Eagles/Steelers NFL preseason game earned a 5.3 final rating and 8.587 million viewers on FOX, up 43% in ratings and 48% in viewership from Week 2 last year (NE/ATL: 3.7, 5.785M), and up 26% and 31%, respectively, from 2009 (PHI/IND: 4.2, 6.559M).
Ratings for the game were also up 48% from last year among adults 18-49 (3.1 to 2.1).
Sunday’s Chargers/Cowboys game on NBC drew a 6.4 and 10.676 million viewers, actually down 5% in ratings and 1% in viewership from Week 2 last year (MIN/SF: 6.7, 10.822M). There was no comparable Week 2 telecast last year.
The game ranks as third-most viewed NFL preseason game on any network since NBC reacquired NFL rights in 2006.
Though down in ratings and viewership, the game’s adults 18-49 rating (3.7) was up a tick from last year (3.6).
For the week, the NBC and FOX games ranked among the five-most viewed programs on broadcast television, with NBC’s game taking the top spot.
Week 2 ended with Monday’s Bears/Giants game on ESPN, which scored 5.853 million viewers — up 16% from Week 2 last year (ARI/TEN: 5.060M), and up 18% from 2009 (NYJ/BAL: 4.953M).
(This year’s ratings from TV By the Numbers [1], [2], Fang’s Bites)
