For the second straight week, NBC managed a modest increase in overnights for Sunday Night Football.
The Week 14 Patriots/Chargers Sunday Night Football game drew a 13.9 overnight rating on NBC, up 9% from Panthers/Saints last year (12.7) and up 3% from Lions/Packers in 2012 (13.5). The 13.9 is the second-highest SNF overnight since Week 7, trailing Cowboys/Giants in Week 12 (14.0).
The Patriots’ win was the second straight SNF telecast to have an increase in overnights, and the third straight when the Thanksgiving special is included. That marks a turnaround from the previous three weeks, when each SNF game declined by double-digits.
Patriots/Chargers was just the latest SNF telecast to earn good, but unspectacular numbers. So far this season, only one game on NBC has topped a 16.0 overnight — compared to five at the comparable point last year and a more modest two in 2012.
(Sun. numbers from Sports Business Daily)
