With more than half of the season now completed, CBS continues to draw some the best numbers in decades for the NFL’s AFC broadcast package.
Through Week 9, CBS averaged an 11.3 rating and 18.587 million viewers for NFL action, up 15% in ratings and 16% in viewership from last year (9.8, 15.963 mil).
This marks the highest average rating for the NFL’s AFC broadcast package through nine weeks since 1994, and the highest average viewership since at least 1987 (CBS records do not go back further).
CBS has aired the AFC broadcast package since the 1998-99 season; previously, NBC aired AFC games.
As reported earlier this week, CBS earned a 16.3 final rating and 27.789 million viewers for the Week 9 NFL national window, the net’s sixth-largest NFL audience since regaining rights to the league in 1998.
Earlier in the day, regional action featuring Dolphins/Ravens drew a 9.6 and 15.419 million viewers, up 10% in ratings and 11% in viewership from last year (MIA/NE*: 8.7, 13.870 mil).
This marks the highest rated, most-viewed early doubleheader game this season.
(CBS press release from TV By The Numbers; Sports Business Daily)
