On the lowest rated night of the week, the NFL put in a strong performance for CBS.
Saturday’s Ravens/Colts AFC Divisional Round game drew a 17.0/29 final rating and 30.6 million viewers on CBS, up 23% in ratings and 29% in viewership from Cardinals/Panthers on FOX last year (13.8/23, 23.8 mil), but down 5% and 1%, respectively, from Jaguars/Patriots on CBS in ’08 (17.9/30, 30.9 mil).
Compared to the Eagles/Cowboys Wild Card game on the previous Saturday night, Ravens/Colts was down 6% and 5%, respectively.
The Colts’ victory stands as the 4th-highest rated late Saturday Divisional Round game since ’99.
Saturday’s game was the #1 primetime program of the week in ratings and total viewers, topping even American Idol on FOX. The game drew an 11.0 rating in the key adults 18-49 demographic — #2 for the week, behind the aforementioned American Idol.
Ratings/viewership for late Saturday Divisional Round game since ’99
| Year | Date | Featured game | Net | Rating | Viewers (000) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2010
|
Sat., 1/16/10 | Ravens/Colts | CBS |
17.0/29
|
30,569
|
| 2009 | Sat., 1/10/09 | Cardinals/Panthers | FOX |
13.8/23
|
23,776
|
| 2008 | Sat., 1/12/08 | Jaguars/Patriots | CBS |
17.9/30
|
30,896
|
| 2007 | Sat., 1/13/07 | Eagles/Saints | FOX |
16.3/27
|
27,440
|
| 2006 | Sat., 1/14/06 | Patriots/Broncos | CBS |
16.1/28
|
26,254
|
| 2005 | Sat., 1/15/05 | Rams/Falcons | FOX |
14.0/24
|
23,700
|
| 2004 | Sat., 1/10/04 | Titans/Patriots | CBS |
15.9/27
|
25,915
|
| 2003 | Sat., 1/11/03 | Falcons/Eagles | FOX |
14.8/25
|
24,931
|
| 2002 | Sat., 1/19/02 | Raiders/Patriots | CBS |
17.4/29
|
28,723
|
| 2001 | Sat., 1/6/01 | Dolphins/Raiders | CBS |
14.6/31
|
—
|
| 2000 | Sat., 1/15/00 | Washington/Buccaneers | FOX |
16.3/34
|
—
|
| 1999 | Sat., 1/9/99 | Dolphins/Broncos | CBS |
18.4/37
|
—
|
