Recent sports TV ratings news, including higher ratings for NFL pregame shows on CBS and NBC, increases for both games of ESPN’s Friday NBA doubleheader, and Boise State’s Friday night win on ESPN2 earning better numbers than ESPN’s Thursday night game.
- Through Week 10 of the season, CBS averaged a 2.9 rating and 4.329 million viewers for The NFL Today pregame show, up 21% and 24%, respectively, from last year (2.4, 3.481 mil). Meanwhile, NBC averaged 8.1 million viewers for the 7:30-8 PM (ET) portion of Football Night in America, up 8% from last year, and the net’s highest average ever. These numbers do not include Sunday’s (Week 11) telecasts.(Fang’s Bites 1, 2)
- Friday’s Thunder/Celtics game drew a 1.3 U.S. rating and 2.121 million viewers on ESPN, up 8% and 22%, respectively, from last year (ORL/BOS: 1.2, 1.743 mil). In the nightcap, Bulls/Mavericks scored a 1.2 and 1.771 million, up 20% and 21%, respectively, from last year (DEN/LAL: 1.0, 1.465 mil). (TV By The Numbers)
- Also Friday, BCS #4 Boise State’s win over Fresno State earned a 1.6 U.S. rating and 2.505 million viewers on ESPN2, topping UCLA/Washington on ESPN the previous night (1.4, 2.053 mil). Numbers for last year’s comparable game were unavailable. (TV By The Numbers)
