CBS entered its Thursday Night Football hiatus with a slight drop in the overnights.
The Week 8 Dolphins/Patriots Thursday Night Football game drew a 12.6 overnight rating on CBS and NFL Network, down 7% from Chargers/Broncos last year (13.6) but up 241% from Buccaneers/Panthers on NFL Network and local affiliates in 2013 (3.7).
The 12.6 overnight is the third-highest for TNF this season (seven telecasts), trailing only Broncos/Chiefs in Week 2 (14.3) and Ravens/Steelers in Week 4 (13.0). Overall, it is the fifth-highest in the history of the franchise (dates back to 2006), with the caveat that games did not begin airing on broadcast until last year.
With that said, the Patriots’ blowout win was also the third straight TNF telecast to have a decline in the metered markets. The first 12 TNF games simulcast on CBS each had increases.
(Thu. numbers via Sports Business Daily)
