With neither team as strong as in recent years, the latest chapter of the Seahawks/49ers rivalry dipped in the metered markets.
The Week 7 Seahawks/49ers Thursday Night Football game drew an 11.5 overnight rating on CBS and NFL Network, down a tick from Jets/Patriots last year (11.6) but up 135% from Seahawks/Cardinals on NFL Network and local affiliates in 2013 (4.9).
The Seahawks’ easy win marked the second straight TNF telecast to have a decline in the metered markets. Dating back to last season, the first 12 TNF telecasts on CBS each had increases. The game would have likely dipped even lower had it faced a scheduled Game 5 in the Mets/Cubs NLCS, but that highly-rated series ended in a four-game sweep.
Despite the decline, the season average for Thursday Night Football remains 9% ahead of last year (from 11.1 to 12.1).
(Thu. numbers from Sports Business Daily)
