The Patriots’ annihilation of the Colts sank overnight ratings for the AFC Championship Game.
The Colts/Patriots AFC Championship Game drew a 24.2 overnight rating on CBS Sunday evening, down 22% from 49ers/Seahawks on FOX last year (31.0), down 13% from Ravens/Patriots on CBS in 2013 (27.9), and the lowest for any Conference Championship game since Ravens/Steelers in 2009 (23.8).
Overall, the 24.2 is the fourth-lowest for any Conference Championship game since the current scheduling format began in the 2002-03 season — ahead of only Ravens/Steelers and Eagles/Cardinals (24.0) in 2009 and Panthers/Seahawks (22.3) in 2006.
Compared to last year’s Broncos/Patriots AFC title game, which aired in the early window, the 24.2 declined 18% from a 29.5.
The Patriots won Sunday’s game by 38 points, the third-largest margin of victory ever in a Conference Championship game. Despite having the timeslot advantage, the rout was no match for the Seahawks’ overtime win over the Packers earlier in the day, which drew a 29.1 overnight.
(Sun. overnight via Sports Business Daily)
