Though down from a record-setter last year, the Seahawks and Panthers generated big numbers for FOX.
Sunday’s Seahawks/Panthers NFL Divisional Round game drew a 21.1 rating and 36.7 million viewers on FOX, per Nielsen fast-nationals — down 15% in ratings and 17% in viewership from Cowboys/Packers last year (24.9, 44.4M) but up 6% and 10%, respectively, from 49ers/Panthers in 2014 (19.9, 33.3M).
The 21.1 rating is the third-highest for an early Sunday Divisional Round game since at least 1998 (complete figures prior to 1999 were not available). Only Cowboys/Packers last year and Cowboys/Vikings in 2010 (22.0) posted a higher number over that span.
Ratings and viewership peaked at a 24.4 and 43.0 million from 4 PM ET to the conclusion. Keep in mind that the Panthers led 31-0 at halftime before the Seahawks closed to within a touchdown.
Despite the strong numbers, FOX has now suffered declines for both of its playoff games. By comparison, five of six games on the other networks have increased.
Seattle was Sunday’s top market with a 48.1 rating, followed by Charlotte (46.8). Panthers secondary markets Greensboro (40.3) and Raleigh-Durham (32.8) ranked third and fifth, respectively, with top neutral market Buffalo sandwiched in between at 34.0.
(Sun. numbers from Fox Sports)
