ESPN, "MNF" Post Yet Another Week Of Gains For Cardinals-49ers

ESPN Earns 9.6 Cable Rating And Over 13 Million Viewers For Cardinals-49ers "MNF"

ESPN Monday earned a 9.6 cable rating and 13.077 million viewers for Cardinals-49ers "MNF," up 10.3% and 12.9%, respectively, from the comparable Buccaneers-Panthers game last year. Through 15 games, ESPN's "MNF" is averaging a 10.4 rating and 14.382 million viewers, up 17% and 20%, respectively, from the same period last season. "MNF" telecasts also represent cable's 14 biggest audiences among viewers this year (ESPN). DAILY VARIETY's Rick Kissell reports ESPN for the week ending December 13 "led the cable pack as usual." The December 7 broadcast of Ravens-Packers earned a 5.3 rating in adults 18-49 and 13.48 million total viewers, marking the week's "No. 3 primetime program in 18-49." Meanwhile, football, "of course, played a key role" in the network ratings race for the week. NBC's Eagles-Giants "SNF" broadcast was "easily the top program," and CBS benefited from its Chargers-Cowboys national-window broadcast "bleeding into primetime." NBC's "SNF," which earned a 7.8 rating in adults 18-49 and 20.88 million total viewers, "dominated Sunday's action, placing as primetime's top program of the week in 18-49 for the 11th time in its last 13 telecasts" (DAILY VARIETY, 12/16).

PACKING THEM IN: In Milwaukee, Bob Wolfley reports WITI-Fox earned a 37.8 local rating and 340,880 HHs in the Milwaukee market for Sunday's Packers-Bears game (MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL, 12/16).