NFL on FOX ratings increased in Week 17, and for the full season.
The Week 17 NFL national window on FOX, featuring Bears-Vikings in 49% of markets, had an 11.7 rating and 21.2 million viewers — up 2% in ratings and viewership from last year (mostly Panthers-Falcons: 11.5, 20.8M), but down 5% in both measures from 2016 (mostly Giants-Washington: 12.3, 22.4M).
The telecast was the highest rated and most-watched of Week 17, topping the competing national window on CBS (mostly Bengals-Ravens: 9.5, 16.8M).
FOX and CBS combined for a 21.2 rating and 38.0 million viewers in the late doubleheader window, the highest since 2015 (22.3, 38.4M).
Earlier in the day, regional action featuring Cowboys-Giants in 78% of markets had a 9.8 (+24%) and 16.6 million (+22%). The full list of Week 17 NFL ratings is available here.
For the season, the NFL on FOX averaged a 10.3 rating and 18.0 million viewers — up 2% in ratings and viewership from last year (10.1, 17.7M), but down 6% and 7% respectively from 2016 (10.9, 19.4M).
2018 marked the first time in five years that ratings have increased for the NFL on FOX. The 2013 season increased 6% over 2012.
Even with the increase, it would be premature to declare the numbers “back to normal.” Any increase in the current television environment is a sign of strength, but this season was still the second-lowest rated on FOX since 2005 (10.1) and the second-least watched since 2008 (17.0M). The other networks had similar results.
FOX averaged a 12.7 (-2%) and 22.1 million (-3%) for its nine NFL national windows (aka “America’s Game of the Week”). Those figures were the highest for any NFL window in 2018, but the lowest since 2001 (12.1) and 2008 (21.8M), respectively.
NFL on FOX Average Ratings, Viewership (2001-Present)
| Full season | |||||
| Year | Rtg | Vwrs | Year | Rtg | Vwrs |
| 2018 | 10.3 | 18.0M | 2009 | 11.4 | 19.1M |
| 2017 | 10.1 | 17.7M | 2008 | 10.5 | 17.0M |
| 2016 | 10.9 | 19.4M | 2007 | 10.7 | 17.1M |
| 2015 | 12.0 | 20.7M | 2006 | 10.6 | 16.6M |
| 2014 | 12.0 | 20.7M | 2005 | 10.1 | 15.7M |
| 2013 | 12.5 | 21.2M | 2004 | 10.0 | 15.3M |
| 2012 | 11.8 | 19.7M | 2003 | 10.3 | 15.6M |
| 2011 | 12.0 | 20.1M | 2002 | 10.3 | 15.9M |
| 2010 | 11.8 | 20.1M | 2001 | 10.1 | 15.4M |
| National Window | |||||
| Year | Rtg | Vwrs | Year | Rtg | Vwrs |
| 2018 | 12.7 | 22.1M | 2009 | 15.5 | 26.2M |
| 2017 | 12.9 | 22.7M | 2008 | 13.7 | 22.3M |
| 2016 | 13.9 | 24.6M | 2007 | 13.8 | 22.2M |
| 2015 | 15.4 | 26.8M | 2006 | 13.8 | 21.8M |
| 2014 | 15.5 | 26.9M | 2005 | 13.1 | 20.4M |
| 2013 | 15.9 | 27.2M | 2004 | 12.9 | 19.8M |
| 2012 | 14.8 | 24.8M | 2003 | 12.9 | 19.6M |
| 2011 | 15.1 | 25.5M | 2002 | 13.3 | 21.0M |
| 2010 | 15.2 | 25.9M | 2001 | 12.1 | 18.3M |
[Numbers from Nielsen via ShowBuzz Daily 1.2; Fox Sports]
