An overtime game involving an undefeated team still hit a near-season low on ESPN.
The Week 8 Colts/Panthers Monday Night Football game earned an 8.8 overnight rating on ESPN, down 27% from Washington/Cowboys last year (12.1) but up 16% from Seahawks/Rams in 2013 (7.6). Overnights peaked at a 10.4 from 9:30-9:45 PM ET, marking the sixth time in the past seven weeks that MNF has peaked before 10 PM ET.
The Panthers’ overtime win, which preserved their undefeated record, ranks as the second-lowest rated MNF telecast this season in the metered markets. Only Steelers/Chargers in Week 5 had a lower overnight (8.5).
It was also the fourth of nine MNF telecasts this season to decline, though the high-profile nature of last year’s matchup — in which the Cowboys had a winning streak snapped by their chief rival — was primarily responsible.
ESPN’s telecast had a 13.2 rating in Indianapolis and a 12.5 in Charlotte. The game was simulcast on local affiliates in both markets, earning an 18.1 on Indianapolis ABC affiliate WRTV and a 20.1 on Charlotte ABC affiliate WSOC. Greensboro, NC (20.2), Raleigh-Durham (14.6) and New Orleans (13.5) were the other markets in the top five.
(Mon. numbers from ESPN)
