The NFL’s three network TV partners each saw declines in ratings for preseason action last weekend.
NBC earned a 4.5 final rating and 7.0 million viewers for the Bengals/Cardinals NFL preseason game last Sunday night, down 14% in ratings and 15% in viewership from Vikings/49ers last year (5.2, 8.2M) and down 27% and 29%, respectively, from Panthers/Jets in 2012 (6.2, 9.8M). The game ranks as the lowest rated and least-viewed preseason telecast on NBC since Jaguars/Washington on a Thursday night in 2008 (2.0, 2.8M).
Despite the six-year low, Bengals/Cardinals was easily the top sporting event of the weekend.
Sunday’s early game between Chargers and 49ers drew a 3.7 and 6.1 million viewers on FOX, tying Saints/Texans last year as the lowest rated Sunday preseason game* since the current TV deal started in 2006.
Shifting to CBS, Saturday’s Saints/Colts game had a 2.8 and 4.5 million — down a tick in ratings but up 2% in viewership from Rams/Broncos last year (2.9, 4.4M) and down 13% and 12%, respectively, from Texans/Saints in 2012 (3.2, 5.1M).
The network earned a 3.5 and 5.5 million for Raiders/Packers the previous night, down 27% in ratings and 29% in viewership from Seahawks/Packers last year (4.8, 7.7M), but up 6% in both measures from Bears/Giants in 2012 (3.3, 5.2M).
* Excludes games on NFL Network.
(Wknd. numbers from Sports Business Daily)
