Competition from the World Series led to lower-than-usual numbers for the NFL’s primetime games.
The Week 8 Packers/Vikings “Sunday Night Football” game drew a 9.9 overnight rating on NBC Sunday night, down 13% from Saints/Broncos last year (11.4), and down 33% from Cowboys/Eagles in 2011 (14.7). The 9.9 is the lowest for any regular season NFL telecast on NBC since Colts/Saints in 2011, which also aired opposite the World Series.
On Monday night, the Seahawks/Rams “Monday Night Football” game drew a 7.6 overnight — down 8% from 49ers/Cardinals last year (8.3), and down 13% from Chargers/Chiefs in 2011 (8.7). The 7.6 is the lowest of the season for an “MNF” telecast. The previous mark was a 7.7 for the Week 1 late game between the Texans and Chargers (7.7).
The World Series outdrew both primetime telecasts in the overnights — winning on Sunday by 6% (10.5 to 9.9) and on Monday by 32% (10.0 to 7.6).
Shifting to afternoon action, FOX topped all networks with its Week 8 doubleheader. The NFL national window, featuring Washington/Broncos in 88% of markets, drew a 17.5 overnight Sunday afternoon — down 7% from coverage featuring Giants/Cowboys last year (18.8), but up 8% from coverage featuring Patriots/Steelers in 2011 (16.2).
Early game coverage featuring Cowboys/Lions in 71% of markets drew a 10.9 overnight, down 2% from coverage featuring Washington/Steelers last year (11.1), but up 2% from coverage on CBS in 2011 (10.7).
Speaking of CBS, the network’s singleheader coverage drew a 10.1 overnight — down a tick from last year (10.2), and down 11% from coverage on FOX featuring Lions/Broncos in 2011 (11.3).
(Week 8 numbers from Sports Business Daily, ESPN)
