Continuing a hot start for the NFL in primetime, Thursday Night Football scored a third-straight increase in ratings and viewership.
The Week 4 Ravens/Steelers Thursday Night Football game drew an 11.8 final rating and 19.4 million viewers on CBS and NFL Network, up 16% in ratings and 19% in viewership from Giants/Washington last year (10.2, 16.3M) and up 123% and 134%, respectively, from 49ers/Rams on NFL Network and local affiliates in 2013 (5.3, 8.3M).
Ratings and viewership peaked at a 13.4 and 21.4 million from 11:30 PM to the conclusion of the game.
The Ravens’ overtime win earned the fourth-highest rating and viewership in the history of Thursday Night Football (dates back to 2006). The three TNF telecasts this season rank among the top five. Keep in mind this is only the second season in which the games aired on broadcast.
It was also the eighth of 11 primetime NFL telecasts this season to have an increase in ratings and viewership. Overall, 10 of 11 have had an increase in at least one measure.
Among adults 18-49, Thursday’s game had a 6.9 rating — up 15% from last year (6.0).
CBS and NFL Network have averaged an 11.8 rating and 19.3 million viewers for Thursday Night Football thus far, up 18% in ratings and 20% in viewership from last year (10.0, 16.1M).
(Thu. numbers from CBS)
