Though down from last year, the season debut of the NFL on FOX attracted near-record numbers last weekend.
The Week 1 NFL national window, featuring 49ers/Cowboys in 89% of markets, drew a 15.7 final rating and 28.0 million viewers Sunday afternoon — down 5% in ratings and 2% in viewership from coverage featuring Packers/49ers last year (16.6, 28.5M) but up 2% and 6%, respectively, from coverage featuring 49ers/Packers in 2012 (15.4, 26.4M).
Despite the modest decline, the national window ranks as the third-highest rated and second-most viewed Week 1 NFL telecast ever on FOX. Only last year’s national window earned a larger audience.
As should be expected, the national window was the top NFL telecast of the week on any network. The Packers/Seahawks season opener ranked slightly behind with a 15.5 and 26.9 million on NBC.
Earlier in the day, regional action featuring Saints/Falcons in 49% of markets drew an 8.2 final rating and 14.1 million viewers — down 8% in ratings and 4% in viewership from coverage featuring Falcons/Saints last year (9.0, 14.6M) but up 2% and 9%, respectively, from coverage featuring Washington/Saints in 2012 (8.0, 12.9M).
The telecast earned the third-largest audience ever for the Week 1 early window on FOX.
(Sun. numbers from Fox Sports Media Group)
