ESPN scored impressive numbers for Monday’s Bears/Lions clash, but could not avoid yet another decline.
The Week 5 edition of Monday Night Football, pitting the Bears against the Lions, earned an 11.3 overnight rating on ESPN Monday — down 7% from last year (MIN/NYJ: 12.2), but up 13% from 2009 (NYJ/MIA: 10.0).
The 11.3 is the second-highest of the season for MNF (six telecasts), behind only Washington/Cowboys in Week 3 (11.9).
Every single Monday Night Football telecast this season has had a decline in overnight ratings compared to last year. ESPN is the only network that has not yet had an NFL increase.
Monday’s game finished behind the NFL national window on CBS (NYJ/NE*: 15.6) and Sunday Night Football on NBC (GB/ATL: 14.0), but topped the NFL singleheader window on FOX (PHI/BUF*: 10.7).
(This week’s numbers from Sports Business Daily)
