The rivalry between the Giants and Cowboys continues to be one of the strongest television draws the NFL has to offer.
The Week 8 NFL national window, pitting the Giants against the Cowboys, earned an 18.8 overnight rating on FOX Sunday afternoon — up 16% from coverage featuring Patriots/Steelers on CBS last year (16.2), and up 11% from coverage featuring Vikings/Patriots on FOX in 2010 (17.0).
The 18.8 is the highest of the season for any NFL telecast, topping the previous high of 18.0 set by Steelers/Broncos on NBC in Week 1.
Overall, the 18.8 is the best for any NFL telecast since Patriots/Broncos in Week 15 of last season (19.5).
The rivalry between the Cowboys and Giants has been a strong draw as of late. The last four meetings between the teams have drawn overnights of 16.1 (Week 14 last year), 17.1 (Week 17 last year), 16.5 (Week 1 this year), and now 18.8.
No other NFL telecast on Sunday came even close to Giants/Cowboys. NBC’s “Sunday Night Football” finished a distant second with an 11.4.
Earlier Sunday, regional NFL action featuring Washington/Steelers in 49% of markets drew an 11.1 overnight on FOX — up 4% from regional action on CBS last year (10.7), and up 7% from coverage featuring Packers/Jets on FOX in 2010 (10.4).
(Sunday’s overnights from Sports Business Daily)
