FOX opened the 2009 NFL season with a bang.
Sunday’s FOX NFL doubleheader averaged an 11.6/24 rating and 19.5 million viewers, up 29% in ratings from last year’s 9.0/19, and the highest rated Week 1 NFL doubleheader ever on FOX.
In particular, regional coverage featuring Washington against the Giants drew a 14.8/29 final rating and 25.1 million viewers late Sunday afternoon, up 14% and 20%, respectively, from Cowboys/Browns last year (13.0/25 and 20.9 million).
Washington/Giants ranks as the highest rated Week 1 NFL game since ’00, and the most-viewed since ’96. Additionally, this marks the highest rated, most-viewed Week 1 NFL telecast ever on FOX.
Earlier in the day, a slate of regional matchups — including the Cowboys’ season opener and Brett Favre‘s Vikings debut — drew an 8.6/19 rating and 14.1 million viewers, up 69% and 79%, respectively, from last year’s 5.1/11 and 7.9 million.
