NBC attracted strong numbers for Sunday’s clash between the Giants and Eagles.
The Week 4 Giants/Eagles “Sunday Night Football” game drew a 14.1 final rating and 22.765 million viewers on NBC, up 23% in ratings and 20% in viewership from Ravens/Jets last year (11.5, 18.9M), and up 13% and 9%, respectively, from Bears/Giants in 2010 (12.5, 20.929M).
This marks the highest rated primetime game in Week 4 of the season since Steelers/Jaguars on ABC in 1997 (15.0), and the most-viewed since Dolphins/Colts on ABC in 1996 (25.1M).
Among adults 18-49, Sunday’s game drew a 9.0 rating and 11.340 million viewers — up 17% in ratings and 15% in viewership from last year (7.7, 9.9M), and up 13% and 8%, respectively, from 2010 (8.0, 10.505M).
For the third time in four weeks, “Sunday Night Football” drew more viewers than the NFL national window, which this week aired on FOX (22.3M). Ratings for the national window were not immediately available.
Through Week 4, NBC has averaged a 14.2 rating and 23.3 million viewers for NFL coverage (five telecasts) — up 2% in ratings and virtually even in viewership compared to last year (13.9, 23.2M), and up 4% and 2%, respectively, from 2010 (13.7, 22.9M).
The four-week average is the best for the NFL on NBC since the network resumed airing games in the 2006-07 season. Overall, NBC is off to the highest rated start for an NFL primetime package since ABC in 1999 (14.6), and the most-viewed start since ABC in 1996 (24.0M).
(Sunday’s numbers from Media Life Magazine, season averages from NBC Universal Media Village)
