The NFL season is off to a strong start in the ratings on FOX.
The Week 2 NFL national window, featuring Saints-Rams in 81% of markets, averaged a 13.2 rating and 23.34 million viewers on FOX — up 10% in ratings and 11% in viewership from last year on CBS (mostly Patriots-Jaguars: 12.0, 20.97M), but down 8% and 10% respectively from 2017 on FOX (mostly Cowboys-Broncos: 14.4, 26.00M).
The telecast, which also included Bears-Broncos, ranks second for the young season in ratings and viewership (13 telecasts). The previous week’s national window (mostly Giants-Cowboys) holds the top spot with a 13.5 and 23.90 million.
Both national windows have increased double-digits over last year. This year marks the first time since 2013 that the window has opened a season with back-to-back increases, and the first time since 2015 that it has exceeded a 13 rating and 23 million viewers in its first two outings.
Earlier in the day, regional action featuring Dallas-Washington in 52% of markets averaged a 9.2 and 16.09 million — the largest audience for the early doubleheader window in Week 2 of the season since at least 2000. It also tied the highest rating over that span.
The telecast, which also included Vikings-Packers or Steelers-Seahawks in an additional 26% of markets, increased 21% in ratings and 27% in viewership from last year on CBS (7.6, 12.67M) and 16% and 19% respectively from 2017 on FOX (mostly Eagles-Chiefs: 7.9, 13.52M).
New Orleans led all markets for the late window with a 51.6 rating. It also averaged a 76 share, meaning that 76% of televisions in use were tuned to the game. As for the other home markets, Denver turned in a 33.1 (65 share), Chicago a 26.6 (52 share), and Los Angeles a 16.0 (40 share).
Milwaukee was the top home market for the early window (43.7/75). Minneapolis (35.2/75), Pittsburgh (36.0/69), Seattle (30.0/66) and Baltimore (25.9/54) rounded out the top five.
The early window averaged a 4.9 rating in adults 18-49 (+23%) and the late window a 7.0 (+8%).
The full list of Week 2 NFL ratings is available here.
[Nielsen estimates via ShowBuzz Daily 9.17]
