CBS NFL ratings dropped double-digits last weekend, but the real story was in Washington — where the Ravens and Cowboys took precedence over the home team. In other news, CBS posted a slight dip for college hoops, the NHL was a mixed draw on NBCSN, and the Liga MX final declined.
NFL Ratings: Singleheader Down Again, Home Team Third in Washington
The Week 14 NFL singleheader earned a 8.1 rating and 13.9 million viewers on CBS last Sunday, down 28% in ratings and 27% in viewership from last year (11.2, 19.1M) and down 26% and 25% respectively from 2015 (10.9, 18.6M). Ratings and viewership for the singleheader have dropped in 12 of 14 weeks this season.
Not helping matters was a stronger than usual early doubleheader window on FOX. That telecast, which featured Cowboys-Giants had a season-high 9.1 and 15.5 million.
The telecast earned an 11.8 rating in Washington D.C., where viewers were treated to the home team’s blowout loss to the Chargers. Both Cowboys-Giants (14.4 on FOX affiliate WTTG) and Steelers-Ravens (16.2 on NBC affliate WRC) earned better numbers in the market.
Slight Dip For College Hoops on CBS
CBS scored a 1.0 rating and 1.52 million viewers for last Saturday’s Michigan-UCLA college basketball game, down a tick in ratings and 2% in viewership from last year (Notre Dame-Villanova: 1.1, 1.57M), but up a tick and 14% respectively from 2015 (Ohio State-UConn: 0.9, 1.3M). It was the top college basketball game of the past week, edging the competing Duke-Boston College matchup on ESPN (0.9, 1.4M).
Mixed Week For NHL
It was a mixed week for the NHL on NBCSN. Tuesday’s Lightning-Blues game had 289,000 viewers, up 35% from last year (Blackhawks-Islanders: 214K) and up 19% from 2015 (Avalanche-Blackhawks: 242K). The following night, Bruins-Red Wings had 458,000 on Wednesday Night Rivalry — down 35% from last year (Bruins-Flyers: 705K) and down 27% from 2015 (Penguins-Bruins: 626K).
Liga MX Finale Down
The second leg of the Liga MX Apertura final had a 1.2 rating and 2.4 million viewers on Univision last Sunday, down a tick in ratings and 22% in viewership from last year, when coverage aired on Christmas night (1.3, 3.1M). The first leg on December 7 had a 1.1 and 2.3 million.
[Numbers via Sports Business Daily 12.15, ShowBuzz Daily 12.13, 12.14; Washington Post 12.13 via Sports TV Ratings/Twitter 12.15]
