Both games of the annual Monday Night Football doubleheader hit lows in the metered markets.
The Week 1 Pittsburgh/Washington Monday Night Football game had a 9.1 overnight rating on ESPN, down 7% from Eagles/Falcons last year (9.8), down a tick from Giants/Lions in 2014 (9.2), and the lowest for the MNF season opener since Bengals/Ravens in 2012 (8.1).
The Steelers’ blowout win, which peaked at an 11.5 from 9:30-9:45 PM ET, ranks sixth out of the 11 MNF openers since ESPN acquired rights.
In the nightcap, Rams/49ers delivered a 7.1 overnight — down 25% from Vikings/49ers last year (9.5), down 9% from Cardinals/Chargers in 2014 (7.8) and the lowest for MNF in Week 1 of the season since Broncos/Raiders in 2008 (7.0).
Overall, the 7.1 is the third-lowest for MNF in Week 1 since ESPN acquired rights, ahead of the 2008 game and 49ers/Cardinals in 2007 (6.8).
ESPN’s telecast had a 10.2 rating in the Bay Area and an 8.9 in Los Angeles. Coverage was simulcast on the local ABC affiliates in both markets, earning a 13.5 in the former and a 7.2 in the latter. As for the early game, ESPN’s coverage had a 14.0 in Pittsburgh and an 8.7 in Washington. Simulcasts on the local ABC affiliates pulled a 27.5 in Pittsburgh and a 16.3 in the nation’s capital.
(Mon. numbers from ESPN)
