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SBD/Issue 71/2005: Year In Review
Most-Watched Sports Broadcasts Of '05
Published December 22, 2005
The following presents the most-watched network and cable sports programming of
’05, ranked by average households (SportsBusiness Journal Research).
NOTES: ^ = Late afternoon games. Figures are through December 11, 2005. Does not include highlight shows, pre- or postgame shows.
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|
MOST-WATCHED
NETWORK SPORTS PROGRAMS
|
||||||
|
RK
|
NET
|
PROGRAM
|
SPORT
|
DATE
|
RAT
|
(000s)
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1
|
Fox
|
Super Bowl XXXIX: Patriots-Eagles |
NFL
|
Feb.
6
|
41.1
|
45,081
|
|
2
|
Fox
|
NFC Champ.: Falcons-Eagles |
NFL
|
Jan.
23
|
25.8
|
28,301
|
|
3
|
CBS
|
AFC Champ.: Patriots-Steelers |
NFL
|
Jan.
23
|
25.8
|
28,291
|
|
4
|
CBS
|
AFC Div. Playoff: Colts-Patriots |
NFL
|
Jan.
16
|
23.2
|
25,372
|
|
5
|
Fox
|
NFC Div. Playoff: Vikings-Eagles |
NFL
|
Jan.
16
|
19.4
|
21,317
|
|
6
|
Fox
|
NFC Wildcard: Vikings-Packers |
NFL
|
Jan.
9
|
18.4
|
20,162
|
|
7
|
CBS
|
AFC Div. Playoff: Jets-Steelers |
NFL
|
Jan.
15
|
18.2
|
20,001
|
|
8
|
CBS
|
AFC Wildcard: Broncos-Colts |
NFL
|
Jan.
9
|
16.3
|
17,821
|
|
9
|
ABC
|
AFC Wildcard: Jets-Chargers |
NFL
|
Jan.
8
|
16
|
17,560
|
|
10
|
Fox
|
Various teams and times |
NFL
|
Nov.
27^
|
15.3
|
16,885
|
|
11
|
CBS
|
Champ. game: Illinois-UNC |
NCAA
Basketball
|
Apr.
4
|
15.0
|
16,441
|
|
12
|
ABC
|
NFC Playoff: Rams-Seahawks |
NFL
|
Jan.
8
|
14.6
|
16,005
|
|
13
|
ABC
|
"MNF": Colts-Patriots |
NFL
|
Nov.
7
|
14.3
|
15,719
|
|
14
|
Fox
|
NFC Wildcard: Rams-Falcons |
NFL
|
Jan.
15
|
14.0
|
15,343
|
|
15
|
Fox
|
Various teams and times |
NFL
|
Sept.
11^
|
13.6
|
15,041
|
|
MOST-WATCHED
CABLE SPORTS PROGRAMS
|
||||||
|
RK
|
NET
|
PROGRAM
|
SPORT
|
DATE
|
COV.
AREA RAT
|
(000s)
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1
|
ESPN
|
Eagles-Redskins |
NFL
|
Nov.
6
|
9.1
|
8,228
|
|
2
|
ESPN
|
Colts-Ravens |
NFL
|
Sept.
11
|
9.1
|
8,161
|
|
3
|
ESPN
|
Chiefs-Raiders |
NFL
|
Sept.
18
|
8.4
|
7,601
|
|
4
|
ESPN
|
Browns-Steelers |
NFL
|
Nov.
13
|
8.0
|
7,236
|
|
5
|
ESPN
|
Giants-Chargers |
NFL
|
Sept.
25
|
8.0
|
7,199
|
|
6
|
ESPN
|
Bills-Patriots |
NFL
|
Oct.
30
|
7.9
|
7,162
|
|
7
|
TNT
|
Conf. Finals Game 7: Pistons-Heat |
NBA
|
June
6
|
7.5
|
6,750
|
| 8 | ESPN | Lions-Packers |
NFL
|
Dec.
11
|
7.2
|
6,512
|
|
9
|
ESPN
|
Cowboys-Giants |
NFL
|
Jan.
2
|
7.3
|
6,489
|
|
10
|
ESPN
|
Raiders-Chargers |
NFL
|
Dec.
4
|
6.8
|
6,170
|
|
11
|
ESPN
|
Bengals-Jaguars |
NFL
|
Oct.
9
|
6.7
|
6,024
|
|
12
|
ESPN
|
49ers-Cardinals |
NFL
|
Oct.
2
|
6.4
|
5,760
|
|
13
|
ESPN
|
ALDS Gm 3: Angels-Yankees |
MLB
|
Oct.
7
|
6.0
|
5,419
|
|
14
|
TNT
|
All-Star Game |
NBA
|
Feb.
20
|
6.0
|
5,331
|
|
15
|
ESPN
|
Chiefs-Texans |
NFL
|
Nov.
20
|
5.7
|
5,190
|
NOTES: ^ = Late afternoon games. Figures are through December 11, 2005. Does not include highlight shows, pre- or postgame shows.
