ESPN scored a massive increase in ratings and viewership for the Cowboys’ lone Monday night appearance.
The Week 4 Bears/Cowboys “Monday Night Football” game drew a 10.5 U.S. rating and 16.616 million viewers on ESPN, up 50% in ratings and 53% in viewership from Colts/Buccaneers last year (7.0, 10.837M), and up 17% and 19%, respectively, from Patriots/Dolphins in 2010 (9.0, 13.971M).
The game ranks as the highest rated and most-viewed “MNF” telecast of the season, topping Packers/Seahawks one week earlier (10.3, 16.167M).
In addition, this marks the top Week 4 telecast on ESPN since Packers/Vikings in 2009 (13.2, 21.839M).
Of note, Monday marked the third straight week that ESPN has drawn at least a 10.0 rating for NFL coverage — the longest such streak the network has ever had.
Despite the strong numbers, the telecast ranks as the lowest rated and least-viewed Cowboys game on “MNF” since Panthers/Cowboys in 2009 (9.9, 15.705M)
Through Week 4, ESPN has averaged an 8.9 U.S. rating and 13.969 million viewers for NFL coverage (five telecasts), up 8% in ratings and 17% in viewership from last year, and down 4% and 6%, respectively, from 2010.
(Monday’s numbers from ESPN)
