One week after playing in the most-watched NFL game of the season, the undefated Panthers attracted another large crowd on Sunday.
The Week 13 NFL national window, featuring Panthers/Saints in 61% of markets, drew a 16.3 final rating and 28.6 million viewers on FOX Sunday afternoon — down 7% in ratings and viewership from Patriots/Packers last year (17.6, 30.9M) and down 2% and up 2%, respectively, from coverage featuring Broncos/Chiefs in 2013 (16.7, 28.1M). Both of those telecasts aired on CBS.
The telecast, which also included Eagles/Patriots in 35% of markets, ranks as the third-most watched of the season on any network — trailing only Seahawks/Cowboys on FOX in Week 8 (29.4M) and Panthers/Cowboys on CBS Thanksgiving Day (32.5M). The Panthers’ two appearances in the top five is tied as the most for any NFL team this year, matching the Cowboys and ahead of the Seahawks, Patriots and Packers (one each).
The 16.3 rating is tied as the second-highest of the season, matching coverage featuring Patriots/Giants on CBS in Week 10 and behind only Seahawks/Cowboys (17.0).
The national window easily topped NBC’s Sunday Night Football in ratings (16.3 to 11.1), viewership (28.6M to 19.2M) and the adults 18-49 demo (8.9 to 6.7). In thirteen weeks this season, it has topped SNF eleven times in ratings, twelve times in viewership, but only six times in the demo.
(Sun. numbers via TV Media Insights)
