After two straight multi-year lows, the NFL preseason bounced back to a two-year high on ESPN.
Monday’s Steelers/Washington NFL preseason game drew 5.6 million viewers on ESPN, up 10% from Eagles/Patriots last year (5.1M), but down 5% from Bears/Giants in 2011 (5.9M).
The game ranks as the most-viewed NFL preseason telecast on ESPN since Bears/Giants in 2011.
Keep in mind that ESPN’s first two preseason games this year were the least-viewed since at least 2007.
Only two non-football broadcasts have earned a larger audience on ESPN this year — the MLB Home Run Derby in July (6.7M) and Game 3 of the Heat/Bulls NBA playoff series in May (6.6M).
(Mon. numbers from TV By the Numbers)
