A high-profile matchup boosted FOX to the largest singleheader audience of the season.
The Week 9 NFL singleheader window, featuring Packers/Panthers in 56% of markets, drew a 12.5 final rating and 20.9 million viewers on FOX last Sunday — down 5% in ratings and 6% in viewership from coverage featuring Cardinals/Cowboys last year (13.2, 22.3M), but up 5% and 4%, respectively, from coverage featuring Vikings/Cowboys in 2013 (11.9, 20.1M).
The telecast ranks as the most-watched singleheader window of the season (nine telecasts), topping the previous mark of 20.1 million for coverage on FOX in Week 1. The five singleheader telecasts on FOX rank among the six most-watched of the season.
In addition, the singleheader ranks as the highest rated and most-watched NFL telecast to feature the undefeated Panthers this season. The previous highs were a 12.2 and 20.6 million for their Sunday Night Football game against the Eagles in Week 7.
Despite the positive numbers, it should be noted that Sunday’s telecast marked the fifth time in five weeks that singleheader viewership has declined. Of the 28 afternoon NFL telecasts that can be compared to last year, fully half have declined. That compares to 10 of 28 primetime games through Week 9.
(Wknd. numbers via Sports Business Daily)
