After breaking records last week, Monday Night Football fell back to earth on ESPN.
Monday’s Jets/Dolphins game drew an 8.4 U.S. rating (9.7 cable) and 13.1 million viewers on ESPN, up 18% and 20%, respectively, from a 7.1 (8.3) and 11 million for Vikings/Saints in Week 5 last year.
This marks the second-lowest rated and second-least viewed Monday Night Football game of the season, ahead of only a 7.6 (8.9) and 11.9 for a late Chargers/Raiders game in Week 1.
While Jets/Dolphins pounded Monday’s Phillies/Rockies Game 4 by 163% in the ratings, the baseball playoff game may have stolen some potential viewers.
Through Week 5 of the season, ESPN is averaging a 9.6 U.S. rating and 15.3 million viewers for Monday Night Football, up 22% and 21%, respectively, from last year.
Ratings and viewership for Monday Night Football on ESPN through Week 5
All ratings are U.S. ratings
| Date | Game | Net | Rating | vs. ’08 | Viewers | vs. ’08 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mon., 9/14/09 | Patriots/Bills | ESPN |
8.9
|
13%
|
14.0 mil
|
12%
|
| Chargers/Raiders | ESPN |
7.6
|
23%
|
11.9 mil
|
24%
|
|
| Mon., 9/21/09 | Colts/Dolphins | ESPN |
9.4
|
-17%
|
14.7 mil
|
-21%
|
| Mon., 9/28/09 | Panthers/Cowboys | ESPN |
9.9
|
30%
|
15.7 mil
|
32%
|
| Mon., 10/5/09 | Packers/Vikings | ESPN |
13.2
|
76%
|
21.8 mil
|
85%
|
| Mon., 10/12/09 | Jets/Dolphins | ESPN |
8.4
|
18%
|
13.1 mil
|
20%
|
Source: ESPN
