For the second time in as many tries, the NFL national window sank by double-digits on CBS.
The Week 3 NFL national window, featuring Bears/Seahawks in 76% of markets, drew a 12.9 final rating and 22.1 million viewers on CBS — down 18% in ratings and 19% in viewership from coverage featuring Broncos/Seahawks last year (15.8, 27.3M) and down 16% and 14%, respectively, from Colts/49ers in 2013 (15.4, 25.6M).
The telecast, which also included Bills/Dolphins, ranks as the lowest rated and least-watched Week 3 national since 2009 — when coverage featuring Steelers/Bengals had a 10.9 and 18.2 million.
Two of the three NFL national windows this season have had a double-digit drop in ratings and viewership, with both having aired on CBS. The lone exception, Cowboys/Eagles in Week 2, aired on FOX.
Despite the decline, Sunday’s telecast was the most-watched NFL window of the week on any network — edging NBC’s Sunday Night Football (22.13M to 22.07M). It trailed SNF in ratings (13.1 to 12.9) and the adults 18-49 demographic (8.1 and 7.8).
UPDATE 10/3: The early doubleheader window had 15.1 million viewers, up 4% from last year (14.5M). The rating was not immediately available.
(Sun. numbers via TV Media Insights, with additional info from Sports Business Daily)
