The latest edition of Monday Night Football put up a sluggish performance on ESPN.
The Steelers/Chargers Monday Night Football game drew a 7.7 final rating and 12.2 million viewers on ESPN, down 6% in ratings and 7% in viewership from Seahawks/Washington last year (8.2, 13.1M) but up 3% and 6%, respectively, from Jets/Falcons in 2013 (7.5, 11.4M).
The Steelers’ win ranks as the lowest rated and least-watched MNF telecast of the season, falling below the previous marks of 8.1 and 12.5 million for Jets/Colts in Week 2. It was the second MNF telecast to a have a decline in both ratings and viewership, with four of the six having a drop in one of the two measures.
Monday’s game faced tougher competition from the MLB playoffs on TBS, which earned a 3.5 and 5.8 million (Cardinals/Cubs) and a 2.4 and 4.0 million (Dodgers/Mets). By comparison, neither of last year’s comparable games managed to crack a 2.0 and 3.0 million.
Among adults 18-49, MNF drew a 4.5 rating — down 6% from last year (4.8) but up a tick from 2013 (4.4). The 4.5 is also a season-low.
(Mon. numbers from ESPN)
