Fox led all Week 4 NFL broadcast windows with a 14.8 overnight rating yesterday for Cowboys-49ers in 84% of markets. While leading all windows, that number is down 10% from a 16.4 for the comparable Week 4 matchup last year -- Packers-49ers in 57% of markets. Fox drew a 7.4 for its regional coverage yesterday, off 20% from Week 4 in ’15. Meanwhile, CBS drew a 5.5 overnight for Colts-Jaguars from London yesterday morning, down 24% from a 7.2 for Jets-Dolphins in that window last year. CBS did see the lone increase of the day, drawing a 10.6 for its singleheader window, up 2% from a 10.4 in ’15. Finally, NBC’s “SNF” drew an 11.0 overnight for the Steelers’ 43-14 blowout over the Chiefs, down 26% from a 14.8 for the Saints’ OT win over the Cowboys last year. While down, the game still delivered a primetime win for NBC (Josh Carpenter, Assistant Editor). USA TODAY notes on the topic of "dwindling TV ratings," the Steelers' rout of the Chiefs "couldn't have helped keep viewers' attention." And next week's Giants-Packers Sunday night game is "up against the presidential debate" (USATODAY.com, 10/3).
| NFL WEEK 4 SUNDAY OVERNIGHT RATINGS |
| NET |
'16 TELECAST |
RAT. |
'15 TELECAST |
RAT. |
% +/- |
| CBS |
Colts-Jaguars (London) |
5.5 |
Jets-Dolphins (London) |
7.2 |
-23.6% |
| CBS |
(single) |
10.6 |
(single) |
10.4 |
1.9% |
| Fox |
(regional) |
7.4 |
(regional) |
9.3 |
-20.4% |
| Fox |
Cowboys-49ers (84%) |
14.8 |
Packers-49ers (57%) |
16.4 |
-9.8% |
| NBC |
Chiefs-Steelers |
11.0 |
Cowboys-Saints |
14.8 |
-25.7% |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
PERFECT STORM: In Boston, Ben Volin noted whether people are "paying more attention to the presidential election, or watching games on the Internet, or haven't bought into the league's new star players, or just a little tired of the NFL's bad PR, TV ratings for Thursday night, Sunday night, and Monday night games are significantly down, as are ratings in the national afternoon time slots." Whether this is the result of a "perfect storm of outside influences or a sign of things to come for the NFL is one of the major story lines to track this year" (
BOSTON GLOBE, 10/2).
BEST OF THE BEST: In Baltimore, David Zurawik notes CBS yesterday "turned in its best telecast of the year" for a Ravens game during the team's 28-27 loss to the Raiders. Game Dir Jim Cornell and Producer Steve McKee "gave viewers every shot that mattered," and they "followed virtually every one of them with two or three more shots in replay from various angles to further enrich the visuals." There was "no shortage of analysis" from commentators Steve Beuerlein and Steve Tasker. Zurawik: "My biggest complaint about this crew is that they never let the telecast breathe." Meanwhile, Zurawik writes he "still can't tell one Steve from the other," but that may not be "such a big deal for fans as long as the commentary is spot on" (Baltimore SUN 10/3).
