After two strong Cowboys-fueled weeks on FOX, the NFL national window earned mediocre numbers in its return to CBS.
The Week 8 NFL national window, featuring Colts/Steelers in 89% of markets, drew a 12.2 final rating and 20.7 million viewers on CBS last Sunday — down 20% in ratings and 19% in viewership from coverage on FOX featuring Washington/Broncos last year (15.3, 25.5M) and down 24% and 23%, respectively, from coverage on FOX featuring Giants/Cowboys in 2012 (16.0, 26.9M).
The telecast earned the second-lowest rating and viewership of the season for the NFL national window, ahead of only Week 5 coverage on CBS (11.5, 19.7M). Overall, it tied 2003 as the lowest rated Week 8 national window since 2002.
Keep in mind CBS had to compete with the Cardinals/Eagles game on FOX in much of the country, including top markets New York (#1), Los Angeles (#2) and Philadelphia (#4).
Earlier in the day, regional action on CBS drew an 8.8 and 14.1 million — down 9% in both measures from coverage on FOX featuring Cowboys/Lions (9.7, 15.5M).
(Sun. numbers from Sports Business Daily)
