Though not as big a draw as would have been expected prior to the season, Monday’s clash between San Francisco and Washington was a solid on ESPN.
The Week 12 49ers/Washington “Monday Night Football” game drew an 8.2 U.S. rating and 13.2 million viewers on ESPN, up 17% in ratings and 22% in viewership from Panthers/Eagles last year (7.0, 10.8M), but down 12% and 9%, respectively, from Giants/Saints in 2011 (9.3, 14.4M).
Monday’s game was the third of the last four — and fourth of the last six — on ESPN to have an increase in ratings and viewership over last year. With that said, the 49ers’ 21-point win ranks just eighth out of thirteen “MNF” telecasts this season.
Among adults 18-49, “MNF” had a 4.9 rating — up 23% from last year (4.0), but down 13% from 2011 (5.6).
Locally, the ESPN telecast drew a 16.9 rating in Washington (D.C.) and a 10.1 in the Bay Area. The game was simulcast on local affiliates in both markets, earning a 9.1 on independent Washington affiliate WDCA and a 12.8 on Bay Area CBS affiliate KPIX.
(Week 12 finals from ESPN)
