Since the Cowboys’ much-hyped appearance back in October, Monday Night Football has struggled in the ratings.
The Week 14 Falcons/Packers Monday Night Football game drew an 8.5 final rating and 14.0 million viewers on ESPN, down 17% in ratings and 14% in viewership from Cowboys/Bears last year (10.2, 16.2M) and down 6% and 4%, respectively, from Texans/Patriots in 2012 (9.0, 14.5M).
The Packers’ win drew the highest rating and viewership for Monday Night Football since Washington/Cowboys in Week 8 (11.4, 18.8M). Since that Week 8 game, five of six MNF telecasts have had double-digit declines in ratings and viewership — with this past week’s game the fourth straight.
Locally, the ESPN telecast drew a 16.9 rating in Milwaukee and a 9.8 in Atlanta. The game was simulcast on local affiliates in both markets, earning a 33.3 on Milwaukee ABC affiliate WISN and a 9.8 on Atlanta ABC affiliate WSB. Las Vegas (17.1) was the top neutral market.
Among adults 18-49, MNF had a 5.1 rating — down 11% from last year (5.7) and down 7% from 2012 (5.5).
ESPN has averaged an 8.3 rating and 13.3 million viewers for NFL coverage through Week 14, down 4% in ratings and 3% in viewership from last year (8.6, 13.7M).
(Mon. numbers from ESPN Media Zone, with additional info from TV By the Numbers)
