Ratings hit a 17-year low for the Week 8 NFL national window, but the numbers were not too bad.
Sunday’s NFL national window (Browns-Patriots or Raiders-Texans) averaged a 12.0 rating and 21.03 million viewers on CBS, marking the lowest rated Week 8 national window since 2002 (mostly Broncos-Patriots: 11.9) and the least-watched since 2014 (mostly Colts-Steelers: 20.75M).
The telecast declined 6% in ratings and 4% in viewership from last year (mostly Packers-Rams: 12.8, 21.88M) and 6% and 5% respectively from 2017 (Dallas-Washington: 12.7, 22.02M). Those windows aired on FOX.
It was just the second national window to decline from last year, and the first to hit a multi-year low. It ranks seventh out of the eight late doubleheader games, ahead of Week 4 on CBS (mostly Saints-Bears: 11.3, 19.80M).
Despite the lower numbers, it was still the top NFL window of Week 8. The national window has taken the top spot in seven of eight weeks.
Earlier in the day, regional action featuring Saints-Cardinals or Broncos-Colts averaged a 7.3 and 12.10 million — up 12% in ratings and 17% in viewership from last year (mostly Washington-NY Giants: 6.5, 10.38M) but flat and down 3% respectively from 2017 (mostly Bears-Saints: 7.3, 12.44M).
The double-digit bump is a major turnaround from the overnights, which were down double-digits. Keep in mind that New Orleans is no longer included in the overnights.
Through eight weeks this season, CBS is averaging 16.62 million viewers for NFL coverage (+5%), its highest average since 2016.
[Nielsen estimates from ShowBuzz Daily 10.29, CBS Sports PR/Twitter 10.29]
