For the first time this season, overnight ratings dropped for NBC’s Sunday Night Football.
The Week 7 Eagles/Panthers Sunday Night Football game earned a 13.6 overnight rating on NBC, down 8% from 49ers/Broncos last year (14.8) and down 21% from Broncos/Colts in 2013 (17.3). Last year’s game saw Broncos QB Peyton Manning set the all-time touchdown record, and the 2013 game marked Manning’s first return to Indianapolis as an opponent.
The Panthers’ win was the first NFL telecast on NBC this season to have a decline in the metered markets (eight telecasts). The previous seven not only had increases, but hit multi-year highs. While that streak was broken, NBC did extend its run of consecutive games with at least a 13.0 overnight to eight — its longest to start a season since reacquiring rights.
In addition, Sunday’s game scored the highest overnight for a primetime Panthers game in nearly 18 years — since Panthers/Cowboys on ABC in December 1997 (16.3). The Panthers’ lone SNF appearance last year, against the Steelers in Week 3, had a 12.3 overnight.
Charlotte was the top market for the game with a 35.0 rating, followed by Philadelphia (30.7). Greensboro, NC (25.4), Richmond, VA (19.4) and Greenville, SC (19.1) rounded out the top five.
(Sun. numbers from NBC Sports)
