High-profile primetime games earned strong numbers in Week 11 of the NFL season, but as usual, the NFL national window was the top draw.
The Chiefs/Broncos “Sunday Night Football” game earned a 16.6 overnight rating on NBC, up 36% from Ravens/Steelers last year (12.2), and 19% from Eagles/Giants in 2011 (14.0). The 16.6 is the second-highest of the season, trailing only Broncos/Colts in Week 7 (17.3).
Overall, Chiefs/Broncos tied the eighth-highest overnight for a regular season NFL game on NBC since the network reacquired rights in 2006.
The following night, the Patriots/Panthers “Monday Night Football” game had an 11.2 overnight on ESPN — up 20% from Bears/49ers last year (9.3), and up 32% from Chiefs/Patriots in 2011 (8.5).
The 11.2 is the second-highest of the season for “MNF” — trailing only the season-opening Eagles/Washington game (11.6).
Despite the strong primetime numbers, the Week 11 NFL national window on FOX was the top draw. Coverage featuring 49ers/Saints in 66% of markets drew a 16.7 overnight, up 13% from coverage on CBS featuring Colts/Patriots last year (14.8), and up 18% from coverage on CBS featuring Chargers/Bears in 2011 (14.2).
Early game coverage featuring Washington/Eagles in 66% of markets drew a 10.5 overnight, down 6% from coverage on CBS last year (11.2), but up 25% from coverage on CBS in 2011 (8.4).
Finally, the Week 12 singleheader — featuring the delayed Ravens/Bears game — drew a 10.4 overnight on CBS, down 2% from coverage on FOX featuring Packers/Lions last year (10.6), and down 18% from coverage on FOX featuring Buccaneers/Packers in 2011 (12.7).
(Week 11 overnights from Sports Business Daily, ESPN)
