NFL ratings continue to rise on CBS. Also: Pro Bull Riding continues to benefit from improved NFL lead-ins and the Premier League scored its top cable audience of the season.
NFL Ratings Keep Rising on CBS
The Week 5 NFL singleheader window, featuring Jaguars-Chiefs in 41% of markets, had an 8.0 rating and 13.3 million viewers on CBS — up 3% in ratings and 1% in viewership from last year (7.8, 13.2M) but down 15% and 19% respectively from 2016 on FOX (ft. Falcons-Broncos: 9.4, 16.5M).
The NFL on CBS has now averaged a 9.3 rating and 15.9 million viewers through five weeks, up 7% in ratings and viewership from last year (8.7, 14.9M).
PBR Benefits From Stronger NFL
Airing adjacent to CBS NFL coverage, coverage of the Professional Bull Riders tour earned a 1.4 rating and 2.13 million viewers Sunday — up 17% in ratings and 15% in viewership from last year (1.2, 1.84M), and up a tick and 1% respectively from the third NFL-adjacent telecast in 2016 (1.3, 2.11M).
Two of the three NFL-adjacent PBR windows this season have increased. As one would expect, both telecasts benefited from a stronger NFL lead-in.
EPL Hits Cable Season-High
Sunday’s Manchester City-Liverpool English Premier League match scored a 0.48 rating and 750,000 viewers on NBCSN, marking the most-watched match on cable this season. Versus the same window in week eight of last season (Southampton-Newcastle), ratings jumped 118% (from 0.22) and viewership 128% (from 329K).
In other action, NBC’s Newcastle-Manchester United match had a 0.53 (+18%) and 789,000 (+18%).
[Numbers from CBS Sports PR, NBC Sports PR/Twitter 10.9, Nielsen via ShowBuzz Daily 10.9]
