The NFL preseason produced middling overnight ratings on the major broadcast networks over the weekend.
The Bengals/Cardinals NFL preseason game drew a 4.8 overnight rating on NBC Sunday night, down 17% from Vikings/49ers last year (5.8), down 36% from Panthers/Jets in 2012 (7.5), and the lowest overnight for a preseason game on the network since 2008.
Despite the double-digit declines, Bengals/Cardinals was the top preseason game of the weekend.
Earlier Sunday, FOX earned a 4.2 overnight for Chargers/49ers — even with Saints/Texans last year (4.2) but down 22% from 49ers/Broncos in 2012 (5.4). Chargers/49ers edged the primetime Chiefs/Panthers game on FOX a week earlier (4.1).
Shifting to CBS, Saturday’s Saints/Colts drew a 3.1 overnight — even with Rams/Broncos last year but down 31% from Texans/Saints in 2012 (4.5). Raiders/Packers the previous night drew a 3.6, down 27% from both Seahawks/Packers last year and Bears/Giants in 2012 (4.9 both years).
(Wknd. overnights from ShowBuzz Daily)
