Monday Night Football is off to a strong start on ESPN.
The Colts’ Monday night victory over the Dolphins drew a 9.4 U.S. rating (11.0 cable) and 14.7 million viewers on ESPN, down 17% and 21%, respectively, from an 11.3 (13.3) and 18.6 million for Eagles/Cowboys last year.
Keep in mind last year’s game was the most-viewed program in cable television history.
Despite the decline, Colts/Dolphins ranks as the most-viewed program of ’09 on cable, topping last week’s Bills/Patriots game (14.0 million).
Through three games, ESPN is averaging an 8.6 U.S. rating (10.0 cable) and 13.5 million viewers for Monday Night Football, even in ratings and down 2% in viewers from an 8.6 (10.1) and 13.8 million through the same point last year.
Two of the first three Monday night telecasts this season have drawn at least 14 million viewers — by comparison, only two MNF telecasts all of last season reached that mark.
