CBS neared a season-high for Sunday’s NFL national window, even as ratings were the lowest in more than a decade.
The Week 12 NFL national window, featuring Panthers/Raiders in 63% of markets, had a 13.2 final rating and 23.5 million viewers on CBS last Sunday — down 14% in ratings and 12% in viewership from Steelers/Seahawks last year (15.4, 26.6M) and down 15% and 11%, respectively, from coverage featuring Dolphins/Broncos in 2014 (15.5, 26.4M).
The telecast, which also included Patriots/Jets, ranks as the lowest rated Week 12 national window in 13 years — since coverage featuring Raiders/Chiefs had a 12.5 in 2003. It also ranks as the least-watched since coverage featuring Cardinals/Giants on FOX in 2008 (23.3M).
Nine of the 12 NFL national window telecasts this season have declined from last year, and seven have hit multi-year lows.
Despite the lower numbers, Sunday’s telecast earned the second-highest rating and third-largest audience on CBS this season. The network scored its three highest rated and most-watched telecasts in the span of a week, with the Week 11 national window (13.6, 24.4M) and Vikings/Lions on Thanksgiving (13.0, 27.6M) taking the two other spots.
Earlier in the day, regional action had a 7.6 and 12.8 million viewers — up 27% in ratings and 31% in viewership from last year (6.0, 9.8M) but down 8% and 2%, respectively, from 2014 (8.3, 13.0M).
(Wknd. numbers via ShowBuzz Daily 11/30)
