Despite all the media attention surrounding the Miami Dolphins, their on-field exploits were not much of a draw on ESPN.
The Week 10 Dolphins/Buccaneers “Monday Night Football” game drew 11.0 million viewers on ESPN, down 15% from Chiefs/Steelers last year (12.8M), and down 23% from Vikings/Packers in 2011 (14.2M). Ratings for the game were not immediately available.
Dolphins/Buccaneers ranks as the third-least viewed “MNF” telecast of the season, edging Texans/Chargers in Week 1 (10.96M to 10.95M) and Seahawks/Rams opposite the World Series in Week 8 (10.96M to 10.76M).
So far this season, six of the eleven “MNF” telecasts have had declines in viewership compared to last year, and seven have had declines compared to 2011.
Among adults 18-49, Monday’s game had a 3.9 rating — down 20% from last year (4.9), and down 32% from 2011 (5.7).
Locally, the ESPN telecast had a 14.0 rating in Tampa-St. Petersburg and a 12.1 in Miami-Ft. Lauderdale. The game was simulcast on local affiliates in both markets, earning an 8.0 on independent Tampa affiliate WMOR and a 4.3 on Miami CW affiliate WSFL.
(Mon. numbers from The Futon Critic, ESPN)
