NFL blasts MLB playoff ratings - Ingles

In case you're wondering, don't: NFL TV ratings tower over the MLB playoffs.

An example: Fox's NFL pregame show Sunday got a bigger overnight rating than any of TBS' MLB playoff games so far.

Even in cities with MLB playoff teams, NFL teams dominate. While the Green Bay Packers' one-sided win over the Denver Broncos drew 44.1% of Milwaukee households, the Brewers' playoff game against Arizona Sunday drew just 20.3%. And in Phoenix , that Sunday Diamondbacks-Brewers game drew 5.7% of households — while the Giants-Cardinals NFL game drew 21.5% of local households.

After being hit by bad luck with Tigers-Yankees being rained out Friday, a night when MLB faced little competition from football, TBS MLB playoff games are averaging 1.9% of U.S. households — down 27% from the first three days of last year's playoffs.

In the NFL, Fox's single-game NFL Sunday regionalized coverage, led by Detroit-Dallas, drew a 14.9 overnight — up 25% from last year's comparable action.

That overnight, translating to 14.9% of TV households in the 56 urban markets measured for overnights, topped weekend sports ratings. CBS drew a 13.8 overnight for regionalized coverage led by Broncos-Packers — down 14% from last year — while NBC's Jets-Ravens game got a 12.7 overnight — down 11% from a Bears-Giants game last year.

One rating point equals 1% of the USA 's 77 million overnight TV homes in Nielsen Media Research's 56 selected major markets. Cable rating converted to broadcast equivalent.

Sources: CBS, ESPN NBC, ABC, Nielsen Media Research
Event
Day, time (p.m. ET)
Rating (households)
Outlet

NFL main game: Detroit Lions vs. Dallas Cowboys
Sunday, 1
14.9 (11.5 million)
Fox

Comparison: Up 25% from comparable coverage last year.

Spin on the spin: Fox also lucks out because this year it has the Lions' Thanksgiving home game, which is alternated annually between Fox and CBS—and has a Lions team, playing the Packers that day, that should be a national attraction.

NFL main game: Denver Broncos vs. Green Bay Packers
Sunday, 4:15
13.6 (10.5 million)
CBS

Comparison: Down 15% from regional coverage last year featuring the Washington Redskins vs. the Philadelphia Eagles.

Spin on the spin: The Packers are a big TV draw, but the Broncos could not keep the game very close.

NFL: New York Jets vs. Baltimore Ravens
Sunday, 8:30
12.7 (9.8 million)
NBC

Comparison: Down 11% from a Chicago Bears-New York Giants game last year.

Spin on the spin: Down from last year, but it still won the night in prime-time TV.

College football: Alabama vs. Florida
Saturday, 8
4.7 (3.6 million)
CBS

Comparison: Down 8% from a game between the same teams last year.

Spin on the spin: A blowout 38-10 victory vs. the Gators was good for the Crimson Tide's national title chances but bad for the ratings.

Event
Day, time (p.m. ET)
Rating (households)
Outlet

NFL main game: Detroit Lions vs. Dallas Cowboys
Sunday, 1
14.9 (11.5 million)
Fox

Comparison: Up 25% from comparable coverage last year.

Spin on the spin: Fox also lucks out because this year it has the Lions' Thanksgiving home game, which is alternated annually between Fox and CBS—and has a Lions team, playing the Packers that day, that should be a national attraction.

NFL main game: Denver Broncos vs. Green Bay Packers
Sunday, 4:15
13.6 (10.5 million)
CBS

Comparison: Down 15% from regional coverage last year featuring the Washington Redskins vs. the Philadelphia Eagles.

Spin on the spin: The Packers are a big TV draw, but the Broncos could not keep the game very close.

NFL: New York Jets vs. Baltimore Ravens
Sunday, 8:30
12.7 (9.8 million)
NBC

Comparison: Down 11% from a Chicago Bears-New York Giants game last year.

Spin on the spin: Down from last year, but it still won the night in prime-time TV.

College football: Alabama vs. Florida
Saturday, 8
4.7 (3.6 million)
CBS

Comparison: Down 8% from a game between the same teams last year.

Spin on the spin: A blowout 38-10 victory vs. the Gators was good for the Crimson Tide's national title chances but bad for the ratings.

Event
Day, time (p.m. ET)
Rating (households)
Outlet

NFL main game: Detroit Lions vs. Dallas Cowboys
Sunday, 1
14.9 (11.5 million)
Fox

Comparison: Up 25% from comparable coverage last year.

Spin on the spin: Fox also lucks out because this year it has the Lions' Thanksgiving home game, which is alternated annually between Fox and CBS—and has a Lions team, playing the Packers that day, that should be a national attraction.

NFL main game: Denver Broncos vs. Green Bay Packers
Sunday, 4:15
13.6 (10.5 million)
CBS

Comparison: Down 15% from regional coverage last year featuring the Washington Redskins vs. the Philadelphia Eagles.

Spin on the spin: The Packers are a big TV draw, but the Broncos could not keep the game very close.

NFL: New York Jets vs. Baltimore Ravens
Sunday, 8:30
12.7 (9.8 million)
NBC

Comparison: Down 11% from a Chicago Bears-New York Giants game last year.

Spin on the spin: Down from last year, but it still won the night in prime-time TV.

College football: Alabama vs. Florida
Saturday, 8
4.7 (3.6 million)
CBS

Comparison: Down 8% from a game between the same teams last year.

Spin on the spin: A blowout 38-10 victory vs. the Gators was good for the Crimson Tide's national title chances but bad for the ratings.
Sources ( USA Today’s Michael Hiestand)