Week 2 of the NFL season produced strong numbers for CBS and declines for the other big networks.
The Week 2 NFL national window, featuring Broncos/Giants, earned a 17.8 overnight rating on CBS Sunday — up 24% from coverage featuring Jets/Steelers last year (14.4), and up 18% from coverage featuring Chargers/Patriots in 2011 (15.1).
The 17.8 tied the Week 1 national window on FOX (featuring Packers/49ers) as the highest of the young NFL season.
Regional action earlier in the day drew a 10.7 on CBS, down 8% from last year (11.6), but up 7% from 2011 (10.0).
Over on FOX, the Week 2 NFL national window — featuring Washington/Packers in 58% of markets — earned a 12.8 overnight, down 4% from coverage featuring Cowboys/Seahawks last year (13.3), and down 6% from coverage featuring Bears/Saints in 2011 (13.6).
Later in the evening, NBC earned a 13.6 overnight for the delayed 49ers/Seahawks “Sunday Night Football” game — down 2% from Lions/49ers last year (13.9), and down 13% from Eagles/Falcons in 2011 (15.7).
ESPN also had declines for primetime coverage. The network’s Steelers/Bengals “Monday Night Football” game earned a 10.3 overnight, down 9% from Broncos/Falcons last year (11.3), but up 17% from Rams/Giants in 2011 (8.8).
Overnight ratings were not available for the Thursday night Jets/Patriots game on NFL Network.
