The NFL season ended on a low note for CBS.
The Week 17 NFL national window on CBS, featuring Dolphins/Patriots in 61% of markets, had a 9.2 final rating and 16.6 million viewers Sunday afternoon — down 18% in ratings and 11% in viewership from last year (11.2, 18.6M) and down 6% but up 1%, respectively, compared to 2014 (9.8, 16.5M).
Ratings and viewership were the second-lowest for the national window this season, ahead of only coverage on FOX the previous week (8.1, 15.4M). Keep in mind it was the only national window to air in the 1 PM ET slot.
Later in the day, additional regional action scored a mere 6.8 and 12.1 million viewers — down 34% in ratings and 31% in viewership from last year (10.3, 17.6M) but up 8% and 14% respectively from 2014 (6.3, 10.7M).
Both telecasts were outdrawn by concurrent coverage on FOX, which had a 9.7 and 17.0 million early and a 12.3 and 22.4 million late. Unlike the NFC, which still had some uncertainty entering Sunday, all six AFC playoff teams had been determined entering Week 17.
Average ratings for the NFL on CBS this season were not immediately available.
(Wknd. numbers via ShowBuzz Daily 1/4)
