The good times have continued to roll for the NFL on NBC.
The Week 4 Cowboys/Saints Sunday Night Football game drew a 14.1 final rating and 24.2 million viewers on NBC, up 4% in ratings and 5% in viewership from the same matchup last year (13.5, 23.1M), up 13% and 18%, respectively, from Patriots/Falcons in 2013 (12.5, 20.5M), and the most-watched primetime game in Week 4 of the season since Dolphins/Colts on ABC in 1996 (25.1M).
The Saints’ overtime win is also tied as the highest rated primetime game in Week 4 since Steelers/Jaguars on ABC in 1997 (15.0), matching Giants/Eagles three years ago.
NBC is off to a sterling start this season, with all five of the network’s games hitting multi-year highs in ratings and viewership. This is the first time since reacquiring NFL rights that NBC has opened the season with five straight increases in either measure. The network has already aired the highest rated and most-watched primetime game in Week 3 of the season since 2008 (Broncos/Lions), the top such game in Week 2 since 1999 and 1991, respectively (Seahawks/Packers), and the top draw in Week 1 since 2010 (Steelers/Patriots).
Overall, NBC has averaged a 14.7 and 25.3 million for NFL coverage through Week 4 — up 8% in ratings and 9% in viewership from last year (13.6, 23.2M) and the highest four-week average for the NFL’s primetime package since 1997 (15.2) and 1993 (26.3M), respectively.
Cowboys/Saints drew an 8.7 rating among adults 18-49, even with last year and up 15% from 2013 (7.6). For the season, NBC is averaging a 9.4 in the demo — up 6% from last year.
(Sun. numbers/season avg. from NBC Sports Group Press Box; additional info from TV By the Numbers)
