Ratings rose double-digits for Sunday’s NFL singleheader on CBS. Also: Friday’s NBA doubleheader declined on ESPN, and Top Rank Boxing scored an increase after the Heisman Trophy Presentation.
NFL Singleheader Up Double-Digits
The Week 14 NFL singleheader window, featuring Ravens-Chiefs, earned a 9.8 rating and 16.7 million viewers on CBS — up 21% in ratings and 20% in viewership from last year (8.1, 13.9M) but down 13% in both measures from 2016 (11.2, 19.1M).
It was the highest rated NFL singleheader on CBS this season (eight telecasts) and the fourth-highest across all networks (14 telecasts).
More Declines For NBA
Friday’s Warriors-Bucks NBA regular season game scored a 1.3 rating and 2.02 million viewers on ESPN, down a tick in ratings and 3% in viewership from last year (Celtics-Spurs: 1.4, 2.08M), but up 31% and 28% respectively from 2016 (Suns-Lakers: 1.0, 1.58M).
Earlier in the night, Sixers-Pistons had a 0.9 (-18%) and 1.37 million (-15%).
So far this season, ESPN and TNT have aired 37 NBA games that can be compared to last year. Of those, 24 have declined in ratings and/or viewership.
Post-Heisman Top Rank Boxing Up on ESPN
Airing immediately after the Heisman Trophy Presentation, Top Rank Boxing scored a 1.2 rating and 1.89 million viewers on ESPN Saturday night — up 20% in ratings and 8% in viewership from the same window last year (1.0, 1.73M).
The telecast ranks as the second-most watched boxing telecast of the year.
Top Rank benefited from a stronger lead-in from the Heisman presentation, which hit a five-year high.
[Numbers from Nielsen via ShowBuzz Daily 12.11; Boxing Scene 12.11]
