CBS posted big gains for the final telecast of its record NFL season.
The Week 17 NFL regional window on CBS, featuring Broncos/Chargers, earned a 10.3 final rating and 17.6 million viewers Sunday afternoon — up 63% in ratings and 64% in viewership from last year (6.3, 10.7M) and up 21% and 20%, respectively, from 2013 (8.5, 14.7M). The telecast ranks as the highest rated and most-watched NFL on CBS finale since 2011.
Ratings and viewership were not immediately available for the NFL national window on CBS, which served as the first half of its Week 17 doubleheader.
For the season, NFL coverage averaged an 11.1 rating and 19.1 million viewers on CBS — up a tick in ratings and 2% in viewership from last year (11.0, 18.7M) and flat and up 2%, respectively, from two seasons ago (11.1, 18.7M). Viewership was the highest on record for the AFC broadcast package (dates back to 1987) and ratings tied the highest mark since 1995 on NBC.
The averages do not include Thursday Night Football games.
Despite the record performance, CBS ranked last out of the NFL’s three broadcast network partners. FOX averaged a 12.0 and 20.7 million viewers and NBC averaged a 13.0 and 22.5 million.
Average Ratings/Viewership For NFL on CBS
Past 10 seasons
| Year | Season Avg. | Year | Season Avg. | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rtg. | Vwrs. | Rtg. | Vwrs. | ||
| 2015 | 11.1 | 19.1M | 2010 | 11.1 | 18.7M |
| 2014 | 11.0 | 18.7M | 2009 | 10.4 | 17.2M |
| 2013 | 11.1 | 18.7M | 2008 | 10.0 | 16.2M |
| 2012 | 10.7 | 17.7M | 2007 | 10.3 | 16.6M |
| 2011 | 11.0 | 18.4M | 2006 | 9.8 | 15.2M |
(Sun. numbers via Programming Insider; season avg. from CBS Sports)
