The NFL Hall of Fame Game was less of a draw than usual on NBC.
Sunday’s Giants/Bills NFL Hall of Fame Game earned a 5.8 overnight rating on NBC, down 13% from Cowboys/Dolphins last year (6.7) and down 24% from Cowboys/Bengals in 2010 (7.6). The 2012 Hall of Fame Game aired on NFL Network and the 2011 game was not played due to the owners’ lockout.
The 5.8 overnight is tied as the second-lowest for the Hall of Fame Game on broadcast TV since at least 1999 (overnights prior to 2000 were not available), matching the Bills’ last appearance in 2009 and ahead of only Washington/Colts in 2007 (5.4). Keep in mind the game aired on NFL Network in 2008 and 2012 due to the Olympics on NBC.
Overall, the 5.8 is tied as the lowest NFL preseason overnight on NBC since 2008 — matching the aforementioned 2009 Hall of Fame Game and last year’s Vikings/49ers match-up.
Despite the lower numbers, the Hall of Fame Game was — as could be expected — easily the top sporting event of the weekend on broadcast.
(Wknd. overnights from Sports Business Daily)
