(my understanding is this figure also includes the simulcasts in the San Francisco and Chicago markets).
NFL Thursday Night Football: Chicago at San Francisco (NFLN; 8:21-11:23pm et)
- 3.899 million viewers
- 2.4 HH
- 1.7 A18-49
And for a sports on cable comparison:
NBA Thursday: Cleveland @ Miami (TNT; 8:16-11:10pm et)
- 2.564 million viewers
- 1.7 HH
- 1.0 A18-49
Last years’ game during the same week on NFLN did a bit better: 4.411 million, with the Mangini vs. Tom Brady-less mentor matchup between the New York Jets and New England Patriots. (as the comment below notes, last year’s version of the New York Jets also included Brett Favre). Last year the NFLN led off a week earlier than this year with a Broncos/Browns game. I don’t have handy access to those numbers, but commenter “romo” says it pulled a 1.9 household rating on November 6, 2008.
| 4,411 |
Yeah, but last year had Brett Favre. Or maybe it was Cris Collinsworth’s commentary? Who knows.
But on a serious note, I think the ratings will get better as the season progresses. A lot of people I know weren’t even aware this game was on. Four weeks ago Bears vs. 49ers would have meant so much more than it did last night.
It was a good game though. Seeing Jay Cutler fail is always fun.
No doubt Jay Cutler was the best thing the 49ers had going for them last night!
broncos/browns was the opener last year.
it got a 1.9 rating.
romo, you’re right (but you knew that) but a couple of things: a.) Broncos/Browns was on a week earlier last year, and it was during election week so it was bounced out of the top 40 that I have handy access to (nothing below a 2.5 HH rating made the top 40 that week due to all the election coverage).
People are growing weary of the NFL….The NFL seems boring sometimes ….
An article posted here today says the NFL ratings are the best in 20 years. The NFL Network games have the most limited reach due to the network being on nosebleed digital cable (if at all).
Indeed, as of the September estimates from Nielsen, it was only available in 42 million homes out of ~115 million homes. But I need to check and see if that’s been updated and whether it includes Comcast which added NFLN (at least for digital customers) since last season.
It’s not nosebleed though as an HD user, my HD lineup starts at channel 702 and now goes into the 800s (not all channels are asigned yet though).
NFLN is 730 and in better real estate for those who browse than USA Network or Syfy. I’d the issue is much more with availability than where it is in the channel lineup though.
Ratings would be higher if more TV households had the channel. Instead NFL Networks want more money from each subscriber.
^%$&ing Bears! Say it ain’t so, Jay!
Fan wailing aside, I’d expect the gap between NFL and NBA Thursday games to be larger on average than this week. The NFL game had two duds of teams, and while the Bears are big draws, they aren’t the Giants or Cowboys. On the other hand, the NBA game had two of the sport’s superstars (LeBron and DWade). So I’d expect most NFL Network games to be higher and TNT regular season games to be around this week or a little less.
I’d expect most NFL Network games to be higher
I agree, but I only see two games that would hold some interest outside the local markets.
Dolphins at Panthers 11/19
> Giants at Broncos 11/26 Thanksgiving
Jets at Bills 12/3
Steelers at Browns 12/10
Colts at Jaguars 12/17
> Cowboys at Saints 12/19 Saturday
Chargers at Titans 12/25 Xmas
The Bears are a huge draw and a better draw than the Giants if the team is good but their not. NFLN has a better reach this year than last year due to the Comcast agreement but the network needs to the same exact thing through every subscriber. The Bears-Niners game seemed to be more of a local attention game.
Chargers and Titans should be interesting as I think the Titans will have a comeback record by then. NYG @ DEN will obviously have interest and so will the huge showdown between the Boys and Saints.
The NBA rating was pretty good for TNT, as I was expecting a little lower but that Wade vs. LeBron matchup was off the chain.
CSI: was huge last night so factor that in too.
Yeah, I’m sure that these numbers have cable companies just rushing to pay for that NFL network. Since all NFL games are aired in their home market, and since there are umptity-ump games on every single week, this is one are where the NFL is drinking its own Kool-Aid.
I’ll still never understand why they didn’t just start off as a free network three years ago. By now they might be in every household in the country and be able to charge something for it, but until you reach maximum penetration, you are just jerking off.
Or at least that’s what she said.
I say license a simulcast to NBC and let’s see where the ratings go….
why don’t you have game show with deon, marshall,…?
It’s boring with Math Miller, and Papa…only?? What happened?