The Patriots lifted Monday Night Football ratings to the highest level in months, but the numbers were still quite weak.
Patriots-Dolphins drew a 7.2 rating and 11.8 million viewers on ESPN Monday night, down 8% in ratings and 11% in viewership from Ravens-Patriots last year (7.8, 13.3M). ESPN Nielsen ratings now include streaming viewership on television; comparisons are to last year’s TV+streaming numbers.
The Dolphins’ upset win, which peaked with an 8.3 and 13.4 million from 10:30-10:45 PM ET, was the highest rated and most-watched MNF game since Washington-Kansas City in Week 4 (7.3, 11.9M). It snapped a streak of nine straight games with less than a 7.0 rating.
Though high by 2017 standards, it was the lowest rated and least-watched Patriots game on MNF since a matchup with the Broncos in 2008 (7.0, 10.8M).
In the key young adult demographics, MNF fell 9% in adults 18-49 (from 4.18 to 3.80), 13% in adults 18-34 (from 3.41 to 2.98), and 10% in adults 25-54 (from 4.96 to 4.48). Ratings fell by a narrower margin in adults 50+ (from 5.98 to 5.46).
ESPN’s telecast drew a 10.1 rating in Boston and a 5.9 in Miami-Ft. Lauderdale. Over-the-air simulcasts on each market’s ABC affiliate earned an 18.9 on Boston’s WCVB and an 8.4 on Miami’s WPLG.
Outside of the participating markets, Providence led the way with a 21.6 rating, followed by Hartford-New Haven and West Palm Beach (13.1 each).
The 2017 NFL ratings page is available here.
[Mon. numbers from ESPN, ShowBuzz Daily 12.12]
