A matchup of 1-3 teams sent Thursday Night Football to one of its lowest overnights since CBS joined the mix.
The Week 5 Cardinals/49ers Thursday Night Football game had an 8.8 overnight rating on CBS and NFL Network, down 18% from Colts/Texans last year (10.7) and down 15% from Vikings/Packers in 2014 (10.4). The 8.8 is the lowest for TNF in Week 5 of the season since Bills/Browns on NFL Network and local affiliates in 2013 (5.3).
The Cardinals’ win, which peaked at a 9.2 per Sports Business Daily, earned the second-lowest overnight for a TNF game that was simulcast on CBS (20 telecasts dating back to 2014). Only Buccaneers/Falcons in Week 3 of the 2014 season — an 56-14 blowout — had a lower overnight (8.5).
The 8.8 is the second-lowest for any primetime game on broadcast since 2011, when Saints 62, Colts 0 had an 8.2 on NBC’s Sunday Night Football.
Keep in mind two markets, Orlando and West Palm Beach, were not included in the ratings due to a hurricane.
(Thu. numbers from Sports Business Daily 10/7)
