Overnight ratings were quite strong for the NFL on FOX in Week 4, but still could not match last year.
The Week 4 NFL national window, featuring Eagles/49ers in 88% of markets, drew a 16.7 overnight rating on FOX Sunday afternoon — down 10% from coverage featuring Eagles/Broncos last year (18.5) but up 12% from coverage featuring Saints/Packers in 2012 (14.9). Despite the decline, the 16.7 overnight is the second-highest for any Week 4 NFL telecast since Dolphins/Colts on ABC’s Monday Night Football in 1996 (19.1).
The 16.7 is also the fourth-highest of the season for any NFL telecast, trailing only the NFL Kickoff Game on NBC (16.8), the Week 3 national window on CBS (16.9) and the Week 1 national window on FOX (17.4).
Earlier in the day, regional action featuring Packers/Bears in 65% of markets drew a 10.1 overnight — down a tick from coverage featuring Seahawks/Texans last year (10.2) and up 3% from coverage featuring 49ers/Jets in 2012 (9.8).
Overall, all six NFL telecasts on FOX this season have had declines in overnights. While the numbers still stack up quite well, FOX remains the only network that has not had an increase this season.
(Sun. numbers from Sports Business Daily)
