An undefeated Patriots squad facing the Giants is usually good for television ratings.
The Week 10 NFL national window, featuring Patriots/Giants in 66% of markets, drew an 18.3 overnight rating on CBS Sunday afternoon — up 17% from coverage on FOX featuring Giants/Seahawks last year (15.6) and up 24% from coverage on CBS featuring Broncos/Chargers in 2013 (14.8). It peaked with a 22.9 from 7:30-8 PM ET.
The 18.3 overnight is the highest of the season for the NFL on CBS, and the second-highest regardless of network (63 telecasts) — behind only Seahawks/Cowboys on FOX in Week 8 (19.5). The strong performance is even more impressive considering that nearly a third of the country received the Broncos’ blowout loss to the Chiefs.
The last time the Patriots and Giants met in the regular season, Week 9 in 2011, coverage drew an 18.6 overnight on FOX. Overnights were not available for their 2007 meeting, which saw the Patriots clinch an undefeated season, but it ended up with a combined 19.1 rating across CBS, NBC and NFL Network.
Sunday’s early doubleheader window drew a 10.2 overnight, up 2% from coverage on FOX featuring 49ers/Saints last year (10.0) and up 4% from coverage on CBS in 2013 (9.8).
(Sun. numbers via CBS Sports, ShowBuzz Daily; regional split from twitter.com/austinkarp)
