Despite yet another multi-year low, the NFL national window lifted CBS to its best numbers of the season.
The Week 15 NFL national window, featuring Patriots/Broncos in 83% of markets, had a 15.8 overnight rating on CBS Sunday afternoon — down a tick from coverage featuring Broncos/Steelers last year (15.9) and down 6% from coverage featuring 49ers/Seahawks on FOX in 2014 (16.8).
Though down only slightly from last year, the 15.8 is the lowest for the Week 15 national window since 2009 — when coverage featuring Packers/Steelers had a 15.1 on FOX. Typically the highest rated NFL telecast of a given week, the national window has now hit a multi-year low in five straight weeks and 10 of 15 overall.
For the Patriots/Broncos rivalry, which experienced a resurgence after Denver signed Tom Brady rival Peyton Manning, the 15.8 represents the lowest mark since their Week 5 meeting in 2012 (15.7). Last year’s matchup had a 16.2 overnight on NBC’s Sunday Night Football, the 2014 game had an 18.6 on CBS, and the 2013 game scored a 17.0 on NBC.
Despite the lower numbers, the 15.8 also ranks as the highest of the season on CBS. The previous high was a 15.4 for the Week 11 national window (mostly Eagles-Seahawks). Regardless of network, it ranks seventh for the season and third among windows that did not feature the Cowboys.
Earlier in the day, regional action had an 11.0 overnight — up 39% from last year (7.9) and flat compared to 2014.
(Wknd. numbers via Sports Business Daily 12/19)
