Though not the most glamorous matchup, a Monday night clash of AFC North rivals scored good numbers on ESPN.
The Week 2 Bengals/Steelers “Monday Night Football” game drew a 9.1 U.S. rating and 14.3 million viewers on ESPN, down 9% in ratings and 8% in viewership from Broncos/Falcons last year (10.0, 15.5M), but up 17% and 20%, respectively, from Rams/Giants in 2011 (7.8, 11.9M).
The game was the third of seven primetime games this season to have a decline in ratings and viewership, joining both “SNF” telecasts on NBC — Giants/Cowboys in Week 1 (-9% and 8%, respectively) and 49ers/Seahawks on Sunday (-5% and -4%, respectively).
Among adults 18-49, Monday’s game drew a 5.9 rating — down 8% from last year’s 6.4, but up 23% from a 4.8 in 2011.
ESPN’s telecast drew a 14.4 rating in Cincinnati and an 11.9 in Pittsburgh. The game was simulcast on local affiliates in both markets, delivering a 23.9 on Cincinnati NBC affiliate WLWT and a 27.9 on Pittsburgh ABC affiliate WTAE.
(Mon. numbers from ESPN Media Zone; additional info from The Futon Critic)
