NFL singleheader ratings hit a Week 15 low; the Army-Navy Game fell to a four-year low; the Heisman Trophy Presentation neared an 18-year viewership low.
Singleheader hits CBS high, Week 15 low
Last Sunday’s NFL singleheader (mostly Texans-Titans or Vikings-Chargers) averaged a 9.8 rating and 16.77 million viewers on CBS, the highest for the window on CBS this season.
Though a season-high for CBS, ratings and viewership were the lowest for the Week 15 singleheader since 2013 (9.7, 16.07M).
Ratings and viewership fell 16% from last year (mostly Cowboys-Colts or Seahawks-49ers: 11.7, 20.03M) and 8% and 7% respectively from 2017 (mostly Packers-Panthers: 10.6, 18.05M).
CBS is now averaging 17.69 million viewers for NFL coverage this season (+7%), its highest average since 2016.
Army-Navy hits four-year lows on CBS
The Army-Navy Game averaged a 4.9 rating and 7.72 million viewers on CBS last Saturday, marking the lowest rated and least-watched edition of the rivalry since 2015 (4.5, 7.13M).
Ratings fell 2% and viewership 4% from last year (5.0, 8.05M) and 6% and 8% respectively from 2017 (5.2, 8.42M). After seven-straight increases from 2011-17, ratings and viewership have now declined in back-to-back years.
Despite the lower numbers, Army-Navy ranks tenth among college football games this season. CBS aired five of the top ten.
Heisman viewership nears low
Last Saturday’s Heisman Trophy Presentation averaged a 1.5 rating and 2.54 million viewers on ESPN, down 17% in ratings and 13% in viewership from last year (1.8, 2.93M) but up 15% and 17% respectively from 2017 (1.3, 2.18M).
Joe Burrow’s win tops only 2017 as the least-watched edition of the show since 2001 (2.17M). Since hitting a 3.1 and 4.90 million for Johnny Manziel’s 2012 win, ratings and viewership for the Heisman have dropped in all-but-one year.
[Nielsen estimates from CBS Sports PR/Twitter 12.17, ShowBuzz Daily 12.17, Programming Insider 12.18]
