A 5-1 Bears team has been a positive for TV ratings in the Midwest this yearGETTY IMAGES
NFL broadcasters saw several positive ratings developments from Week 6, with several important markets posting season-high ratings, according to local numbers. The best story for Fox came in Chicago, where the 5-1 Bears posted a 28.9 local rating for their win over the Panthers -- a season high for the market. The NFL has viewed Chicago as a sleeping ratings giant. When the Bears are good, Chicago ratings lift the rest of the Midwest. If the NFC North remains competitive between the Bears and Packers, it would offset weakness in the NFC East this season. Meanwhile, CBS execs have to be relieved by the numbers in Pittsburgh, where the 5-0 Steelers drew a season-high 36.6 local rating for their blowout win over the Browns. Coming into this season with a Patriots team that did not have Tom Brady, CBS’ schedule of AFC games was reliant on good results in Pittsburgh and K.C. Both teams, and their local TV ratings, have started the season strong. Most of the teams that played Sunday showed local ratings increases over the previous week for the second time this season. Twelve were up; nine were down and one was even. The other teams were either on a bye or played yesterday.
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