Despite airing the debut of Johnny Manziel and an NFC Championship Game rematch, FOX had slight declines for its NFL doubleheader.
The Week 15 NFL national window, featuring 49ers/Seahawks in 84% of markets, drew a 16.8 overnight rating on FOX Sunday afternoon — down 7% from coverage featuring Packers/Cowboys last year (18.1) and down 2% from coverage on CBS featuring Steelers/Cowboys in 2012 (17.2).
The 16.8 ranks just tenth out of the 15 national window telecasts this season, and the third-lowest out of the eight on FOX. Despite the lower numbers, the national window was easily the top window of the day — comfortably ahead of the Cowboys/Eagles Sunday Night Football game on NBC (14.9).
Earlier in the day, the much hyped NFL debut of Manziel also failed to lift the ratings. Regional coverage featuring Bengals/Browns in 46% of markets drew an 11.0 overnight, down a tick from coverage featuring Seahawks/Giants last year (11.1) but up 2% from coverage on CBS in 2012 (10.8).
Bengals/Browns was originally assigned to AFC rightsholder CBS, but moved to FOX as part of the NFLs’ new ‘cross-flex’ scheduling policy.
(Sun. numbers from Sports Business Daily)
