CBS and NFL Network combined for an 11.1 overnight rating for the Patriots' 19-14 win over the Buccaneers on Thursday, marking the best Week 5 "TNF" figure on record, dating back to the start of the package in '06. Patriots-Bucs is up 26% from an 8.8 overnight for Cardinals-49ers last year, which was without the Orlando-Daytona and West Palm Beach markets due to effects from Hurricane Matthew. Two years ago in Week 4, CBS and NFL Net drew a 10.7 rating for Colts-Texans, and in '14, Vikings-Packers drew a 10.4 overnight. That was the first season CBS became a "TNF" partner. Last night's game, which was also available for streaming on Amazon Prime, peaked at a 12.3 rating from 9:30-10:00pm ET. The game gave CBS an easy win in primetime among all nets (Austin Karp, Assistant Managing Editor).
ANYTIME, ANYWHERE: USA TODAY's Jarrett Bell explored different ways to catch NFL games this season, including Thursday night's "tri-cast" on CBS, NFL Net and Amazon Prime. Among the other "ways to watch a game (or portions of a game)" are the NFL Mobile package for Verizon customers and Red Zone Channel (as part of the Sunday ticket on DirecTV). People can also stream via some game consoles or set-top boxes like Xbox, Apple TV and Amazon Fire Stick, "among others." The WatchESPN app works for "MNF" and other ESPN programming," while there also are "enhanced viewing options" for "SNF" on the NBC website and NBC Sports app. CBS and Fox also "have apps." Former NBC Sports Chair Dick Ebersol: "It's anytime, anywhere. The digital explosion has really helped." NFL VP/Media Strategy & Business Development Amanda Herald said of Twitter's streaming audience last season for "TNF," "The audience definitely skewed a lot younger" (USA TODAY, 10/5).
CASTING A WIDER NET: THE ATHLETIC's Chris Burke noted Fox has "expanded its coverage footprint" for Panthers-Lions in the NFL 1:00pm ET regional window on Sunday so that the matchup "will be seen by 50% of the country." It is "relatively common for the networks to update their coverage maps as the week goes along." Panthers-Lions is a "critical game in the NFC." Fox Sports VP/Media Relations Eddie Motl said that the expanded availability had "nothing to do" with Panthers QB Cam Newton's "controversial exchange" with a female reporter (THEATHLETIC.com, 10/5).
