The 20th season of the “NFL on FOX” began with record numbers last week.
The Week 1 NFL on FOX doubleheader averaged a 12.9 final rating and 21.8 million viewers last Sunday, up 11% in ratings and 12% in viewership from Week 1 last year (11.6, 19.4M), and the highest rated and most-viewed Week 1 doubleheader ever on the network.
In particular, the Week 1 NFL national window — featuring Packers/49ers — earned a 16.6 final rating and 28.5 million viewers, up 8% in ratings and viewership from coverage featuring the same matchup last year (15.4, 26.4M), and up 9% and 10%, respectively, from coverage featuring Giants/Washington in 2011 (15.3, 25.8M).
The telecast ranks as the most-viewed Week 1 national window ever on FOX.
In addition, the telecast was the top draw of Week 1, topping both the NFL Kickoff Game and “Sunday Night Football” on NBC.
Earlier in the day, regional action featuring Falcons/Saints drew a 9.0 and 14.6 million viewers — up 13% in ratings and 14% in viewership from coverage featuring Washington/Saints last year (8.0, 12.9M), and up 13% and 12%, respectively, from coverage featuring Eagles/Rams in 2011 (8.0, 13.0M).
The telecast ranks as the most-viewed Week 1 early game ever on FOX. Even so, the early window was the second-least viewed telecast of Week 1 — ahead of only the late Monday night game on ESPN.
(Sun. numbers from Nielsen, Fox Sports)
