Led by the late game, the annual Monday Night Football doubleheader scored near-record numbers on ESPN.
The Week 1 Vikings/49ers Monday Night Football game drew an 8.8 rating and 14.3 million viewers on ESPN, according to Nielsen fast-nationals — up 24% in ratings and viewership from Cardinals/Chargers last year (7.1, 11.5M), up 24% and 31%, respectively, from Texans/Chargers in 2013 (7.1, 11.0M), and the highest rated and most-watched late game of the annual MNF doubleheader (10 telecasts).
The previous highs were a 7.6 and 11.9 million for Chargers/Raiders in 2009.
In addition to the record performance, Vikings/49ers was also the first late game of the MNF doubleheader to outdraw the early window. Eagles/Falcons had an 8.5 and 13.6 million earlier in the night, up 1% in ratings and down 1% in viewership from Giants/Lions last year (8.4, 13.7M) and down 16% and 18%, respectively, from Eagles/Washington in 2013 (10.1, 16.5M).
Overall, the MNF doubleheader averaged an 8.6 and 13.9 million viewers — trailing only 2013 (8.7, 14.0M) as the highest rated and most-watched since it began in 2006.
Ratings/Viewership For Week 1 MNF Doubleheader
| Year | Early | Late | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Game | Rtg. | Vwrs. | Game | Rtg. | Vwrs. | |
| 2015 | Eagles Falcons |
8.5 | 13.56M | Vikings 49ers |
8.8 | 14.33M |
| 2014 | Giants Lions |
8.4 | 13.73M | Cardinals Chargers |
7.1 | 11.52M |
| 2013 | Eagles Wash. |
10.1 | 16.52M | Texans Chargers |
7.1 | 10.95M |
| 2012 | Bengals Ravens |
7.0
|
10.90M
|
Chargers Raiders |
6.8
|
10.45M
|
| 2011 | Patriots Dolphins |
9.1
|
14.57M
|
Raiders Broncos |
7.1
|
11.11M
|
| 2010 | Ravens Jets |
9.4
|
14.97M
|
Chargers Chiefs |
7.6
|
11.89M
|
| 2009 | Bills Patriots |
8.9
|
14.00M
|
Chargers Raiders |
7.6
|
11.95M
|
| 2008 | Vikings Packers |
7.9
|
12.50M
|
Broncos Raiders |
6.2
|
9.67M
|
| 2007 | Bengals Ravens |
7.3
|
11.08M
|
49ers Cardinals |
5.8
|
8.50M
|
| 2006 | Vikings Wash. |
8.2
|
12.57M
|
Chargers Raiders |
7.0
|
10.50M
|
(Mon. numbers from ESPN)
