The first uptick for "Monday Night Football" ratings in 19 years helped overall NFL television ratings stay flat during the regular season, considered a moderate victory in an era of ever-eroding television audiences.
ABC's Monday night games averaged an 11.5 household rating and a 19 share, representing 12.5 million homes. That was up 1 percent compared with last year, reversing a nearly 20-year trend of sliding ratings (see week-by-week ratings, page 12).
It also placed "Monday Night Football" as the third-highest-rated prime-time show, behind only "CSI" and "Survivor." Only once before, in 1999, has "MNF" been ranked so high.
Also gaining this season was ESPN, which got a 4 percent bump for its NFL cable ratings, averaging a 7.7. CBS, meanwhile, was even with a 9.6 average, while Fox was down 2 percent to a 10.3.
The overall NFL average was a 9.5, or 10.3 million homes. NFL games have accounted for four of the top 10 network programs during this TV season, and the top five among men 18-49. Nine of the top 10 telecasts on cable during this television season were NFL games.
"MNF" was the No. 1-rated show among men 18-49 and trailed only "The Simpsons" for men 18-34.
— Andy Bernstein
