The Giants and Cowboys generated another large audience last Sunday.
The Week 8 Giants/Cowboys NFL national window drew a 16.0 final rating and 26.9 million viewers on FOX — up 10% in ratings and viewership from coverage featuring Patriots/Steelers on CBS last year (14.6, 24.564M), and up 5% and 7%, respectively, from coverage featuring Vikings/Patriots on FOX in 2010 (15.2, 25.221M).
Last week’s game ranks as the second-highest rated and second-most viewed NFL telecast of the season, trailing only Steelers/Broncos on NBC in Week 1 (16.5, 27.567M).
The telecast also ranks as the highest rated and most-viewed NFL window on FOX since coverage featuring Packers/Giants in Week 13 last year (17.6, 29.774M).
The strong numbers are no surprise for the Giants/Cowboys rivalry. This marks the fourth consecutive season that at least one Giants/Cowboys game has topped 26 million viewers.
Final ratings/viewership for the first game of last week’s doubleheader were not available.
Ratings/Viewership For NFL National Window
Through Week 8
| WK # | Date | Featured Game | Net | Rating | Viewers | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Away | Home | |||||
| 1 | Sun., 9/9/12 | Niners | Packers | FOX |
15.4
|
26.4M
|
| 2 | Sun., 9/16/12 | Jets | Steelers | CBS |
12.2
|
19.9M
|
| 3 | Sun., 9/23/12 | Texans | Broncos | CBS |
14.4
|
24.0M
|
| 4 | Sun., 9/30/12 | Saints | Packers | FOX |
13.4
|
22.3M
|
| 5 | Sun., 10/7/12 | Broncos | Patriots | CBS |
14.5
|
24.5M
|
| 6 | Sun., 10/14/12 | Giants | Niners | FOX |
13.7
|
22.8M
|
| 7 | Sun., 10/21/12 | Jets | Patriots | CBS |
14.0
|
23.0M
|
| 8 | Sun., 10/28/12 | Giants | Cowboys | FOX |
16.0
|
26.9M
|
(Last week’s numbers from TV Media Insights, NFL Communications)
