May 17, 2012

Super Bowl XLVI Most-Watched TV Show Of All Time — 166.8 Million Total Viewers

February 7, 2012 By Leave a Comment

166.8 MILLION TOTAL VIEWERS

SUPER BOWLS RANK AS TV’S TOP 21 SHOWS

The 2011 NFL season concluded with another television milestone as Super Bowl XLVI on NBC reached a total audience of 166.8 million viewers, making it the most-watched show in U.S. television history according to The Nielsen Company.

The Giants-Patriots championship game topped the previous record of 162.9 million total viewers set last year (Packers-Steelers in Super Bowl XLV) and marks the fifth consecutive record-setting total audience for the Super Bowl. Super Bowls account for the 21 most-watched programs in history in terms of total audience.

Most-Watched TV Programs, Total Viewers

Game  Total Viewers
Super Bowl XLVI (Giants-Patriots), 2/5/12 166.8 million
Super Bowl XLV (Packers-Steelers), 2/6/11 162.9 million
Super Bowl XLIV (Colts-Saints), 2/7/10 153.4 million
Super Bowl XLIII (Cardinals-Steelers), 2/1/09 151.6 million
Super Bowl XLII (Giants-Patriots), 2/3/08 148.3 million

Source: NFL, The Nielsen Company

In addition, a record average of 111.3 million viewers watched Super Bowl XLVI – topping the previous mark of 111 million for Super Bowl XLV. 

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SUPER BOWL XLVI IS MOST-WATCHED SHOW IN U.S. TELEVISION HISTORY

111.3 Million Watch Super Bowl XLVI, Tops Last Year’s Super Bowl (111.0 Million)

47.0 Household Rating is Best in 26 Years, Since 48.3 for Super Bowl XX

40.5 Adult 18-49 Rating is Best for a Super Bowl in 16 Years

14% Higher Than Last Giants-Patriots Super Bowl in 2008

12% Higher Than Last NBC Super Bowl in 2009

7th Straight Year Super Bowl Audience Increases

INDIANAPOLIS – Feb. 6, 2012 – Super Bowl XLVI is the most-watched television program in U.S. history and the highest-rated Super Bowl in 26 years, according to fast national data released today by The Nielsen Company.

The game, in which the New York Giants defeated the New England Patriots, 21-17, was seen by a record 111.3 million viewers (6:31-9:58 p.m. ET), topping last year’s 111.0 for Super Bowl XLV on Fox and is the biggest audience to watch a television program in U.S. history.

MOST-WATCHED PROGRAMS IN U.S. TELEVISION HISTORY

1. 111.3 Million – Super Bowl XLVI, NBC (Last Night’s Game)
2. 111.0 Million – Super Bowl XLV, Fox
3. 106.5 Million – Super Bowl XLIV, CBS
4. 106.0 Million – M.A.S.H. Finale, CBS
5. 98.7 Million – Super Bowl XLIII, NBC

HIGHEST-RATED SUPER BOWL IN 26 YEARS: The game earned a 47.0 rating and a 71 share, a gain of two percent from last year’s 46.0/69 for Super Bowl XLV and is the highest-rated Super Bowl since 1986 (Bears-Patriots, Super Bowl XX, 48.3/70). The 47.0 rating is the 6th highest in Super Bowl history.

· The game drew a 40.5 rating in the advertiser-coveted Adult 18-49 demographic, the highest for a Super Bowl in 16 years (41.2 for Super Bowl XXX on Jan. 28, 1996)

HIGEST-RATED SUPER BOWLS:

1. 49.1/73 – Super Bowl XVI, CBS
2. 48.6/69 – Super Bowl XVII, NBC
3. 48.3/70 – Super Bowl XX, NBC
4. 47.2/67 – Super Bowl XII, CBS
5. 47.1/74 – Super Bowl XIII, NBC
6. 47.0/71 – Super Bowl XLVI, NBC (Last Night’s Game)
T7. 46.4/71 – Super Bowl XVIII, CBS
T7. 46.4/63 – Super Bowl XIX, ABC
9. 46.3/67 – Super Bowl XIV, CBS
10. 46.0/69 – Super Bowl XLV, Fox

VIEWERSHIP GROWS THROUGHOUT THE GAME: The viewership and rating grew throughout the game and peaked at a 117.7 million viewers and a 50.7/72, respectively, from 9:30-9:58 p.m. ET in the fourth quarter when Eli Manning led the Giants on a game-winning drive.

HALF HOUR VIEWERSHIP (Times ET):

6:31-7, 99.2 million
7-7:30, 107.9 million
7:30-8, 110.9 million
8-8:30, 114.0 million
8:30-9, 114.3 million
9-9:30, 115.4 million
9:30-9:58, 117.7 million

HALF HOUR RATINGS (Times ET):

6:31-7, 42.5/69
7-7:30, 45.5/71
7:30-8, 46.4/71
8-8:30, 47.4/70
8:30-9, 47.7/70
9-9:30, 48.9/70
9:30-9:58, 50.7/72

HALFTIME SHOW FEATURING MADONNA IS MOST-WATCHED EVER: The halftime performance by Madonna (8-8:30), was seen by 114.0 million viewers, nearly four million more than last year’s performance featuring the Black Eyed Peas (110.3 million), and is the most-watched Super Bowl halftime show featuring entertainment ever (dating back to 1991).

· The halftime viewership 18.3 million more than NBC’s last Super Bowl with Bruce Springsteen (95.7 million).

· The halftime show earned a 47.4 household rating, six percent higher than last year (44.7/68) and is the highest-rated halftime show featuring entertainment ever.

“THE VOICE” DELIVERS HUGE NUMBERS: The season two premiere of “The Voice” that followed the Super Bowl averaged a 16.3 rating in adults 18-49 and 37.6 million viewers overall, making it the highest-rated entertainment program in 18-49 in six years, since ABC’s “Grey’s Anatomy” post-Super Bowl telecast on February 5, 2006 (16.5). “The Voice” is up versus last year’s post-Super Bowl telecast of “Glee” by 47 percent in 18-49 (16.3 vs. 11.1) and up one percent versus the 2010 post-Super Bowl telecast of “Undercover Boss” (16.3 vs. 16.2).

BOSTON SETS LOCAL MARKET RECORD: The rating in Boston was the best ever for an NFL game in that market (56.7/81) topping the previous high of 56.1/78 for Super Bowl XXXVI (56.1/78 on Fox).

· The New York market registered a 49.7/74, the second-highest overnight for an NFL game in that market, trailing only the 53.4/72 for Super Bowl XXI, the Giants first-ever Super Bowl. By comparison, New York registered a 44.9/67 for Super Bowl XLII, the last time they were in the big game.

· The host market of Indianapolis registered a 56.4/79 overnight rating, the second-best overnight for a host market only trailing Jacksonville (58.9/77) for Super Bowl XXXIX).

TOP 10 METERED MARKETS FOR SUPER BOWL XLVI:

1. Boston, 56.7/81
2. Indianapolis, 56.4/79
3. Norfolk, 54.2/73
4. Columbus, 54.1/72
5. New Orleans, 54.0/72
T6. Nashville, 53.5/74
T6. Jacksonville, 53.5/70
8. Buffalo, 52.9/72
9. Kansas City, 52.1/73
10. Milwaukee, 52.0/73
*New York ranked 18th with a 49.7/74

–SUPER BOWL XLVI–

Filed Under: NBC, NFL, Ratings

Super Bowl XLVI Earns 47.8 Overnight Rating

February 6, 2012 By Leave a Comment

3rd Highest Super Bowl Overnight Ever, Less Than One Percent Behind Super Bowls XLV and XXI (47.9)

14% Higher Than Last NBC Super Bowl

7% Higher Than Last Time Giants and Patriots Met in Super Bowl XLII

Boston Registered a 56.7/81, Best Overnight Rating Ever for an NFL game in Boston

New York Registered a 49.7/74, Second-Best Overnight Ever for an NFL game in New York

Final Half-Hour of Pre-Game Show Best Since 2003

INDIANAPOLIS – Feb. 6, 2012 – Super Bowl XLVI in which the New York Giants defeated the New England Patriots 21-17, earned a 47.8/71 overnight rating/share last night on NBC, the third-highest overnight rating in Super Bowl history and less than one percent off the highest (47.9 for both Super Bowl XLV and Super Bowl XXI), according to overnight data released today by The Nielsen Company.

· The 47.8/71 is seven percent higher than Super Bowl XLII on Fox when the Giants defeated the Patriots 17-14.

· The overnight rating is 14 percent higher than the last Super Bowl on NBC (Super Bowl XLIII, Steelers 27, Cardinals 23) and higher than any of NBC’s previous 11 Super Bowls in which there were metered markets.

· Tops all other Super Bowls involving the Giants and Patriots in Nielsen People Meter History (Since 1988).

“This confirms that the Super Bowl is the most dominant and consistent property on television,” said Mark Lazarus, Chairman, NBC Sports Group. “We are fortunate, in our new agreement with the NFL, to be able to broadcast three more Super Bowls over the next nine years.”

TOP 5 SUPER BOWL OVERNIGHTS OF ALL TIME:

T1. 47.9/71 – Super Bowl XLV, Packers 31-Steelers 25, Fox

T1. 47.9/68 – Super Bowl XXI, Giants 39-Broncos 20, CBS

3. 47.8/71 – Super Bowl XLVI, Giants 21-Patriots 17, NBC

4. 47.4/NA – Super Bowl XIV, Steelers 31-Rams 19, CBS

5. 46.9/70 – Super Bowl XX, Bears 46-Patriots 10, NBC

RATING GROWS THROUGHOUT THE GAME: The rating grew throughout the game and peaked at a 51.8/73 from 9:30-10 p.m. ET in the fourth quarter when Eli Manning led the Giants on a game-winning drive.

HALF HOURS (Times ET):

6:30-7, 43.3/69

7-7:30, 45.9/71

7:30-8, 47.7/72

8-8:30, 48.1/72

8:30-9, 48.3/71

9-9:30, 49.3/70

9:30-10, 51.8/73

FINAL HALF HOUR OF PRE-GAME SHOW BEST SINCE ’03: From 6-6:30, the Super Bowl XLVI Pre-Game show drew a 34.5 overnight rating, two percent higher than last year and the best for the final half-hour of the pre-game show since Super Bowl XXXVII (35.3 on ABC). Total pre-game (2-6:30) registered a 12.0/23 just two percent off from last year’s (12.2/23) and two percent higher than the last NBC Super Bowl (11.8/23 for Super Bowl XLIII).

 

 

· The halftime performance by Madonna (8-8:30), earned a 48.1/72 overnight, one percent ahead of last year’s 8-8:30 time period featuring the Black Eyed Peas (47.4/70) and 20 percent higher than NBC’s last Super Bowl with Bruce Springsteen (40.2/62).

 

 

· The post-game (10-10:15) registered a 35.3/54, 17 percent higher than last year’s 30.3 for Super Bowl XLV in Fox.

BOSTON SETS LOCAL MARKET RECORD: The rating in Boston was the best ever for an NFL game in that market (56.7/81) topping the previous high of 56.1/78 for Super Bowl XXXVI (56.1/78 on Fox).

· The New York market registered a 49.7/74, the second-highest overnight for an NFL game in that market, trailing only the 53.4/72 for Super Bowl XXI, the Giants first-ever Super Bowl. By comparison, New York registered a 44.9/67 for Super Bowl XLII, the last time they were in the big game.

· The host market of Indianapolis registered a 56.4/79 overnight rating, the second-best overnight for a host market only trailing Jacksonville (58.9/77) for Super Bowl XXXIX).

TOP 10 METERED MARKETS FOR SUPER BOWL XLVI:

1. Boston, 56.7/81

2. Indianapolis, 56.4/79

3. Norfolk, 54.2/73

4. Columbus, 54.1/72

5. New Orleans, 54.0/72

T6. Nashville, 53.5/74

T6. Jacksonville, 53.5/70

8. Buffalo, 52.9/72

9. Kansas City, 52.1/73

10. Milwaukee, 52.0/73

*New York ranked 18th with a 49.7/74

When Fast National data is available from Nielsen this afternoon, the viewership could approach last year’s 111.0 million that watched Super Bowl XLV, the most-watched Super Bowl ever, and the most-watched television audience in U.S. history.

*Note, the “fast affiliate” data that is available later this morning does NOT reflect live audience for the Super Bowl across the country.

*Overnight ratings measure the top 56 U.S. metered markets.

–SUPER BOWL XLVI–

Filed Under: NBC, NFL, Ratings

UFC on FOX Dominates Primetime in Key Demos

February 3, 2012 By Leave a Comment


Saturday night’s UFC on FOX event from the United Center in Chicago posted a 2.6/5 national rating/share, according to figures released by Nielsen Media Research today. As expected, FOX dominated the night on the important younger demographics. FOX’s 2.4 among Adults 18-49 nearly beat the combined ratings of ABC, CBS, and NBC (2.5 combined) and FOX’s 2.5 among Adults 18-34 easily beat those three network competitors combined (1.4). The three-bout broadcast on FOX averaged 4.7 million viewers from 8:00 PM – 10:19 PM ET.

The two-hour event, the first official network broadcast of FOX’s partnership with UFC, is off slightly (-16%) from the UFC on FOX premiere in November (3.1/5), which was only one hour and featured a highly-anticipated heavyweight championship fight. When comparing similar time periods for the two events, FOX posted a 3.0/5 from 9:00 – 10:15 PM ET, off only a tenth from the November UFC fight.

In several meaningful demographics, the last hour of Saturday’s broadcast rated higher than November’s UFC premiere on FOX with Men 25-49 up +3%, Men 25-54 up +3%, Men 35-54 up +4%.

As anticipation to the night’s main event grew so did the ratings and viewership. The night’s first match between Demian Maia and Chris Weidman scored a 2.2/4 rating/share. The next fight between Chael Sonnen and Michael Bisping grew to a 2.7/5. Fans tuned in to see former light heavyweight champion Rashad Evans take on undefeated former national champion wrestler Phil Davis with that bout posting a 3.4/6. More than 6 million viewers watched the five-round bout where Evans defeated Davis by unanimous decision.

The top five metered markets for Saturday’s UFC on FOX event are: Las Vegas – 4.1/8; Louisville – 4.1/7; Indianapolis – 3.9/7; Greenville – 3.9/6; Tulsa – 3.9/6; and Knoxville – 3.9/6.

- UFCONFOX -

Filed Under: FOX, Ratings, UFC

57.9 Million Watch NFC Championship Overtime Thriller on FOX

January 23, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Sunday’s Giants/49ers Battle Ties 2010’s Vikings/Saints

As Highest-Rated Conference Title Game Since 1996

NFL on FOX Regular & Postseason Combine for Network’s Most-Watched Ever

New York – Yesterday’s epic 2012 NFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME on FOX between the New York Giants and San Francisco 49ers delivered an extraordinary 30.6/44 fast-national rating/share according to figures released by Nielsen Media Research. The overtime battle scored an average audience of 57.6 million viewers to rank as the third most-watched Conference Championship Game ever, after the 1982 Cowboys-49ers NFC Championship Game (68.7 million viewers on CBS) and 2010’s overtime Vikings-Saints NFC Championship (57.9 million viewers on FOX).

The rating for Sunday’s battle for the NFC crown ties with 2010’s game (Vikings/Saints – 30.6/45) as the highest-rated NFC Championship Game since 1996 (Packers/Cowboys – 33.3/58).

 

Last night’s fast-national rating of 30.6/44 is a +9% gain over last year’s 28.1/50 for Packers/Bears in the early window and +8% better than last year’s 28.3/43 for Jets/Steelers in the late window on CBS. Ratings climbed to extraordinary levels as the game progressed toward overtime, peaking at an astounding 36.9/52 rating and 69.0 million viewers from 10:00 – 10:30 PM ET.

The 2012 NFC Playoffs on FOX averaged a 23.9/43 (42.6 million viewers) making it the network’s most-watched NFL Playoffs ever. The average for FOX Sports’ coverage of the NFC’s Wild Card, Divisional and Conference Championship rounds is up +11% over last year’s 21.6/39 (38.7 million) and is FOX’s highest-rated NFL Playoffs since 1996’s 25.1/48 (37.2 million). The complete 2011-12 NFL season on FOX averaged over 23.2 million viewers for the regular season and playoffs combined, making it FOX’s most-watched NFL season ever, excluding Super Bowls.

San Francisco posted a 47.4/77, the second highest-rated NFL on FOX postseason game ever in the City by the Bay. New York notched a 41.8/58, FOX’s best NFL rating ever in the Big Apple for a non-Super Bowl game. After the Patriots punched their ticket to Super Bowl XLVI earlier in the evening, Boston tuned-in to find out who New England’s opponent would be, posting a 35.1/49, Boston’s highest-rating NFL on FOX non- Super Bowl playoff game. Other metered markets of note include Los Angeles (28.4/49) and Detroit (30.2/42).

Filed Under: FOX, NFL, Ratings

CBS Sports Boast Highest Viewer Avg for AFC Champ Game in 30 Years

January 23, 2012 By Leave a Comment

CBS SPORTS’ COVERAGE OF AFC CHAMPIONSHIP BOASTS HIGHEST VIEWER AVERAGE FOR

EARLY AFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME IN 30 YEARS WITH 48.7 MILLION

Fast National Rating is Highest for Early AFC Championship Game in 17 Years with 27.4/48

CBS Sports’ coverage of the 2012 AFC CHAMPIONSHIP game featuring the New England Patriots defeating the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday, Jan. 22 (3:07-6:16 PM, ET) averaged 48.7 million viewers (Persons 2+), which is the highest viewer average for the early AFC Championship game in 30 years (1/10/1982; 51.6 million viewers; San Diego-Cincinnati: NBC).

The 48.7 million viewers for the 2012 AFC Championship game also was the second-highest viewer average (behind last year’s 54.9 million for New York Jets-Pittsburgh) for the AFC Championship game in 30 years (1/10/1982; 51.6 million viewers; San Diego-Cincinnati; NBC).

The AFC CHAMPIONSHIP game earned a fast-national live + same-day average household rating/share of 27.4/48, which is the highest rating for an early AFC Championship game in 17 years (1/15/1995; 28.3/58; San Diego-Pittsburgh; NBC)

The Network’s coverage in the comparable early window in 2010 earned a 26.3/47 (New York Jets-Indianapolis) and last year earned a 28.3/43 (New York Jets-Pittsburgh) in the late window.

The AFC CHAMPIONSHIP game rating peaked at a 31.2/52 with an average of 56.8 million viewers from 5:30-6:00 PM, ET.

* * * *

Filed Under: CBS, NFL, Ratings

Steelers-Broncos On CBS Most-Watched Wild Card Game Ever

January 11, 2012 By Leave a Comment

GAME ALSO MOST-WATCHED PROGRAM SINCE SUPER BOWL XLV

SECOND MOST-WATCHED WILD CARD WEEKEND EVER

 

Following a record-setting regular season, NFL fans continued to tune in for the Wild Card playoffs.  Sunday’s Pittsburgh Steelers-Denver Broncos game on CBS drew 42.4 million viewers ranking as the most-watched show since Super Bowl XLV and the most-watched Wild Card game ever (topping last year’s Packers-Eagles game on FOX, 39.3 million).

The Wild Card games averaged 31 million viewers to rank as the second most-watched Wild Card Weekend ever (32.3 million in 2010). The four games were also the four most-watched shows on television last week (chart below).

Saturday night’s Detroit Lions-New Orleans Saints game on NBC drew 31.8 million viewers, marking  the third consecutive year with two Wild Card games averaging more than 30.0 million viewers.

Most-Watched Shows on Television, Week of Jan. 2-8, 2012

Program                                                                       Average Viewers
1. CBS Wild Card Playoff (Steelers-Broncos)      42.4 million
2. NBC Wild Card Playoff (Lions-Saints)             31.8 million
3. FOX Wild Card Playoff (Falcons-Giants)            27.7 million
4. NBC Wild Card Playoff (Bengals-Texans)    21.9 million
5. NCIS 19.8 million
6. 60 Minutes 18.1 million
7. 2012 Rose Bowl (Oregon-Wisconsin) 17.6 million
8. NCIS: Los Angeles 17.1 million
9. Modern Family 14.0 million
10. Two And A Half Men 13.9 million

 

Source: NFL & The Nielsen Company

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Filed Under: CBS, NFL, Ratings

BCS National Championship: Cable’s Second Biggest Audience of All Time

January 10, 2012 By Leave a Comment

ESPN Wins the Night; Record College Football Audience for ESPN’s Digital Platforms

ESPN’s telecast of the Allstate Bowl Championship Series (BCS) National Championship – Alabama’s 21-0 shutout of LSU — posted a 16.2 fast national household coverage rating, according to Nielsen, representing an average of 16,072,000 households, the second highest of any program in the history in cable television (records go back to 1987).  The average of 24,214,000 viewers (P2+) was also second best in cable.  It also is ESPN’s second-highest rating of all time.

The only telecast in cable television history with a larger audience was last year’s BCS Championship on ESPN (17,718,000 homes and 27,316,000 people, based on a 17.8 rating), a 22-19 Auburn victory over Oregon decided by a field goal as time expired.

The game was the most-viewed telecast of the night in all of television, broadcast or cable, and powered ESPN to win the night among all networks.

The programming leading into and following the game performed well.  BCS Showcase (8:15-30 p.m. ET) earned a 7.7 metered market rating while BCS Post-Game (11:30 p.m. – midnight) drew a 7.9.

The game earned notable local ratings in a variety of markets:

  • Birmingham averaged a 61.2 rating, best of all metered markets, the second highest-rated bowl game on the ESPN networks in this market, behind only the 2011 National Championship (67.0; Auburn/Oregon)
  • New Orleans averaged a 53.3 overnight rating, second best in the nation and the highest-rated bowl game ever on the ESPN networks in this market
  • In addition, Austin (20.5), Greensboro (17.3), Greenville (24.5), Houston (16.2), Jacksonville (23.0), Memphis (25.8), Orlando (16.6), and Providence (9.6) delivered their highest-rating for a bowl game on the ESPN networks in the 2012 BCS National Championship.
  • Records date back to 2000

Record College Football Audience on ESPN’s Digital Platforms

Across all WatchESPN platforms – computer, smartphone, tablet, Xbox – the average minute audience for the BCS National Championship game totaled 261,000 people, up 40 percent over last year’s game, and a record for college football on ESPN’s digital platforms. More than 523,000 people watched the game on WatchESPN.com, generating 39.6 million minutes and an average minute audience of 227,000 people, which is up 20 percent compared to last year.

For the five BCS Bowl Games on WatchESPN.com, the average minute audience was 114,000 (up 27 percent over last year). For the entire bowl season, fans spent 6.9 million minutes per game on WatchESPN.com for an average time spent of 59 minutes per game, up 31 percent and 28 percent vs. 2011, respectively.  ESPN’s college football content on the mobile web reached 872,000 fans and more than three million page views during the bowl season, up 15 percent and 11 percent respectively, compared to a year ago.

ESPN & the BCS

ESPN’s second year of exclusive coverage of the five BCS matchups included all five games on ESPN, ESPN Radio and ESPN3 with ESPN Deportes and ESPN 3D also televising the Allstate BCS National Championship Game.

In addition, ESPN provided extensive on-site studio programming and reports across multiple shows and platforms, dedicated web pages for each bowl, re-airs of classic BCS games, international telecasts of all five games, encore presentations of the National Championship and more.  ESPN’s year-round commitment to college football includes more than 400 games, culminating with 33 bowls.

-30-

Filed Under: ESPN, NCAA Football, Ratings

Two-Part “Sunday Night Football” Viewership Release

January 6, 2012 By Leave a Comment

PART I – COWBOYS-GIANTS IS MOST-WATCHED NBC PRIMETIME GAME EVER

27.6 Million Tops ALL Sunday Night Football Broadcasts Including Thursday NFL Kickoff Games

Most-Watched NFL Regular-Season Primetime Game in 15 Years

NEW YORK – January 4, 2012 – The Cowboys-Giants game on Sunday Night Football was the most-watched NFL regular-season primetime game ever on NBC and the most-watched NFL regular-season primetime game on any network in 15 years, according to official national data released today by The Nielsen Company.

Sunday’s game on NBC, in which the Giants defeated the Cowboys, 31-14, to win the NFC East, was seen by 27.6 million viewers, 42 percent higher than last year’s Week 17 game (Rams-Seahawks, 19.4 million), which was also a win-and-in game to determine the winner of the NFC West, and topped the previous NBC NFL primetime viewership record (27.5 million for Vikings-Saints NFL Thursday Kickoff on Sept. 9, 2010).

Other Ratings Notes:

· Most-watched regular-season primetime game on ANY network in 15 years (Packers-Cowboys, 31.5 million, Nov. 18, 1996 on ABC).

· Most-watched NFL primetime regular-season final game in 17 years (32.0 million for 49ers-Vikings, Dec. 26, 1994 on ABC).

MOST WATCHED NFL REGULAR-SEASON PRIMETIME GAMES ON NBC:

1. 27.6 million, Cowboys-Giants, 1/1/12 (Sunday Night’s Game)
2. 27.5 million, Vikings-Saints, 9/9/10 (2010 Thursday Night Opener)*
3. 27.2 million, Saints-Packers, 9/8/11 (2011 Thursday Night Opener)*
4. 25.8 million, Cowboys-Jets, 9/11/11 (2011 SNF Week 1)
5. 25.73 million, Eagles-Cowboys, 12/12/10 (2010 SNF Week 14)
6. 25.68 million, Vikings-Packers, 10/24/10, (Favre Return to Lambeau II)
7. 25.3 million, Cowboys-Redskins, 9/12/10 (2010 SNF: Week 1)
8. 24.8 million, Giants-Cowboys, 9/20/09 (Dallas Cowboys Stadium Debut)
9. 24.5 million, Giants-Cowboys, 12/11/11 (2011 SNF Week 14)
10. 24.2 million, Packers-Patriots, 12/19/10 (2010 SNF Week 15)

*Thursday NFL Kickoff Games

The Cowboys-Giants game received a 15.7 national household rating and a 25 share, up 39 percent from last year’s Week 17 game (Rams-Seahawks, 11.3/18), and making it the highest-rated Sunday Night Football broadcast ever (excluding Thursday NFL Kickoff games).

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PART II – SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL IS NO. 1 SHOW ON PRIMETIME TELEVISION

No. 3 Show Among Women 18-34 and 18-49

13 Games with More Than 20 Million Viewers (Most Ever)

Football Night in America Sets Records

Sunday Night Football finished the season as the No. 1 show in primetime (Viewers 2+, Household rating, all key adult and male demos, based on Nielsen live + same day data). This marks the second straight year, and the only two years on record (since the advent of people meters in 1987), that a sports series has been the most-watched show of the primetime TV season at the end of the NFL regular season.

SNF NO. 1 PRIMETIME PROGRAM FOR SEASON: For the primetime television season, Sunday Night Football ranked as the most-watched show (persons 2+) and the No. 1 program across the key demographics of Adults 18-49, 18-34, 25-54 as well as Men 18-49, 18-34 and 25-54.

  • Additionally, SNF is the No. 3 show among Women 18-34 behind only Modern Family and New Girl, and, remarkably, No. 3 among Women 18-49 behind only Two and a Half Men and Modern Family.

SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL SETS RECORD IN COVETED ADULT DEMO: Sunday Night Football averaged an 8.4 rating for its season in the coveted Adult 18-49 advertiser demographic, the best in the six-year history of SNF and tying the 1999 season of Monday Night Footballon ABC as the best NFL primetime Adult 18-49 average since 1997 (9.1 on ABC).

Adult 18-49 SNF Season Averages vs. Prior Years:
2011 – 8.4
2010 – 8.3 (up one percent)
2009 – 7.5 (up 12 percent)
2008 – 6.4 (up 31 percent)
2007 – 6.4 (up 31 percent)
2006 – 6.8 (up 24 percent)

SNF FINAL AVERAGE VIEWERSHIP: Sunday Night Football averaged 21.5 million viewers for the 2011 season, the second-most in its six-year history, just one percent below last year’s high of 21.8 million, 2.1 million more than 2009 (19.4 million) and 4.9 million more than 2008 (16.6 million).

  • 21.5 million is the second-most for the NFL’s premier primetime package (SNF on NBC 2006-2010, MNF on ABC 1970-2005) since 1996 (22.7 million).
  • The final average household rating of 12.9/20 is the second-best ever for Sunday Night Football, one percent below last year’s high of 13.0/21, 10-percent higher than 2009’s 11.7/19 and 26 percent ahead of 2008 (10.2/16).

Viewers 2+ HH rtg.

1. 2010, 21.8 million, 13.0/21
2. 2011, 21.5 million, 12.9/20
2. 2009, 19.4 million, 11.7/19
3. 2006, 17.5 million, 11.0/18
4. 2008, 16.6 million, 10.2/16
5. 2007, 16.0 million, 10.0/16

NBC PRIMETIME GAMES WITH 20 MILLION-OR-MORE VIEWERS: This season, 13 NBC primetime NFL games surpassed 20 million viewers, the most in NBC’s six-year Sunday Night Football history. Last year there were 11 games to surpass 20 million. In 2009, there were seven games that surpassed 20 million viewers, and from 2006-2008 a total of six games reached that milestone.

SNF games with more than 20 million viewers per season:

2011 – 13
2010 – 11
2009 – 7
2008 – 2
2007 – 1
2006 – 3

FOOTBALL NIGHT DRAWS RECORD AUDIENCE: The critically acclaimed Football Night in America, had its best season ever, drawing a record 8.9 million viewers (7:30-8:15 p.m. ET).

Football Night Season Averages vs. Prior Years
2011 – 8.9 million viewers
2010 – 8.3 million viewers (up seven percent)
2009 – 7.4 million viewers (up 20 percent)
2008 – 6.3 million viewers (up 41 percent)
2007 – 6.2 million viewers (up 44 percent)
2006 – 6.5 million viewers (up 37 percent)

MORE ARE WATCHING NFL FOOTBALL ON SUNDAY NIGHTS: In the six years since the shift of the NFL’s premier primetime package from Monday to Sunday nights, Sunday Night Football is averaging 5.3 million more viewers (21.5 million) than the last season of Monday Night Football on ABC in 2005 (16.2 million).

SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL TOP 20 METERED MARKETS – FULL 2011 SEASON:

1. New Orleans, 25.4/34
2. Milwaukee, 20.4/30
3. Pittsburgh, 20.0/30
4. Baltimore, 19.5/30
5. Las Vegas, 19.1/29
6. Dallas, 18.7/29
7. Richmond, 17.9/27
8. Norfolk, 17.5/26
9. Indianapolis, 17.2/27
10. Albuquerque, 16.4/25
11. San Diego, 16.0/27
12. Washington D.C., 15.8/27
T13. Nashville, 15.5/22
T13. Kansas City, 15.5/24
T15. Atlanta, 15.3/24
T15. Austin, 15.3/25
T15. Memphis, 15.3/22
18. San Antonio, 15.0/22
19. Philadelphia, 14.8/23
20. Sacramento, 14.7/25

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–NBC SPORTS GROUP–

Filed Under: NBC, NFL, Ratings

Most-Watched Year Ever For Golf Channel

January 5, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Ratings Milestones Reached Across All Dayparts

NBCU Merger Provides Broad Exposure

ORLANDO, Fla. (Jan. 4, 2012) – 2011 was the most-watched year in Golf Channel history. The network’s first year as part of the NBC Sports Group finished on Dec. 31 as the most-watched year in the network’s 17-year history, according to data released by Nielsen Research.

Viewership in 2011 was up almost 30 percent from 2010 and topped 2009 by 3 percent to become Golf Channel’s most-watched year ever. Highlights include PGA TOUR viewership up 23 percent, Presidents Cup coverage from Australia providing the most-watched day and week in Golf Channel history, viewership for Golf Central up 47 percent; and in June, the premiere of Feherty became the network’s most-viewed season premiere ever. These milestones provided the network with great momentum heading into the 2012 golf season, which kicks off Friday with primetime coverage in Hawaii of the Hyundai Tournament of Champions from the picturesque Plantation Course in Kapalua, Maui.

Total-day viewership growth in 2011 was spiked by milestones across all Golf Channel programming categories – an achievement even more impressive considering Tiger Woods appeared in only 10 events on Golf Channel (and did not win until the last event of his year). Comparatively, in 2009 when the previous record was established, Woods played 17 events and won nine times. Furthermore, 2011 viewership was more than 15 percent better than audience levels in 2007 and 2008.

The January 28, 2011, Comcast merger with NBCUniversal, which provided Golf Channel with broad-based promotion across a vast network of various NBCU platforms, and the addition of more original shows – including the critically acclaimed Feherty and the network’s first-ever live morning show, Morning Drive – engaged viewers who watched the network more often than ever before.

“While we toast this banner year and are extremely grateful to our family of loyal viewers, we remain committed to continued growth and excited about the prospects for the future,” said Golf Channel President Mike McCarley. “This viewership record is a testament to the vitality of golf, strengthened partnerships with the game’s governing bodies and the power of NBCUniversal cross-promotion. Our aim is to give viewers more reasons to watch, and in 2011 they responded in record numbers. While we’re pleased by the unprecedented viewership, we’re even more excited about the future and know that the best is yet to come.”

Best Beginning to End: The year began and finished with record-setting quarters and Golf Channel was one of only four sports networks to show growth (up 14 percent) in the third quarter of the year.

Tournaments Set the Pace: Golf Channel televises more tournament golf than all other networks combined and 2011 was a banner year for all the major tours with ratings up year over year. Golf Channel also shone its brightest during golf’s biggest events:

· PGA TOUR FedExCup season up 23 percent.
· LPGA Tour up 30 percent.
· European Tour up 23 percent.
· Champions Tour up 16 percent and the most-watched season ever on Golf Channel.
· The Presidents Cup made the third week in November the highest-rated week in Golf Channel history and Friday, Nov. 18, the highest-rated day in Golf Channel history.

Golf Channel Had it Covered: When it came to covering the world of golf, Golf Channel led the way. Ratings for its signature news franchise, Golf Central, were up 47 percent over last year and the newest addition to its morning schedule, Morning Drive, was up 68 percent versus its comparable time slot in 2010. At golf’s biggest events, Golf Channel’s Live From news coverage was unmatched and included the following highlights:

· Most-watched PGA Championship Week ever on Golf Channel.
· Masters Week was the fourth most-watched week in Golf Channel history.
· U.S. Open Week achieved the highest weekend ratings from an East Coast U.S. Open.

Golf Channel Originals and Instruction Kept Viewers Engaged: Significant investments to provide viewers more than tournament action paid off. Golf Channel original series and specials – up 20 percent as a genre over 2010 – kept fans tuning in. Instructional programming followed suit and was up 25 percent. Highlights include:

· Feherty set record as most-viewed series premiere in Golf Channel history.
· Ratings for The Haney Project season three with Rush Limbaugh were up 36 percent from previous season.
· Pipe Dream joined The Haney Project to lift Tuesday nights more than 50 percent.
· Big Break Ireland started with the highest-rated premiere for any Big Break series since fall of 2009, and finished with the highest-rated season finale of all originals in 2011.

Golf Channel in 2011 averaged 90,000 viewers watching at any given moment during a 24-hour period.

-NBC Sports Group-

Filed Under: Golf Channel, Ratings

3.74 Million Viewers Watch 2012 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic

January 5, 2012 By Leave a Comment

2012 Winter Classic up two percent vs. last afternoon Winter Classic

Five of six most-watched NHL regular-season games in past 37 years are Winter Classics

NEW YORK — January 3, 2012 – The NHL Winter Classic continues to demonstrate its success as it has now produced five of the six most-watched NHL regular-season games in the past 37 years. Yesterday’s 2012 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic between the New York Rangers and Philadelphia Flyers from Citizen’s Bank Park averaged 3.74 million viewers, according to fast national data provided by Nielsen Media Research, making it the fifth-most watched regular-season NHL game since 1975.

Viewership for the game was up two percent compared to the last NHL Winter Classic played in the afternoon, the 2010 contest played on New Year’s Day at Fenway Park between the Boston Bruins and Flyers, which was watched by 3.68 million.

This year’s game was played on Monday, Jan. 2 due to New Year’s Day falling on a Sunday. The previous four Winter Classics were all played on Jan. 1. Yesterday’s game also had a delayed start time of 3 p.m. ET, which was announced the day before the game, due to weather conditions related to player safety. The start time had originally been scheduled for 1 p.m. ET.

Last year’s Winter Classic, broadcast on New Year’s Day in primetime from Heinz Field in Pittsburgh and featuring two of the NHL’s most popular players in Sidney Crosby (Pittsburgh Penguins) and Alex Ovechkin (Washington Capitals), was the most-watched NHL regular-season game in 36 years with 4.5 million viewers.

MOST-WATCHED NHL REGULAR-SEASON GAMES SINCE 1975

4.5 million Jan. 1, 2011 NBC Capitals-Penguins

4.4 million Jan. 1, 2009 NBC Red Wings-Blackhawks

3.8 million Jan. 27, 1996 FOX Six-game regional coverage

3.8 million Jan. 1, 2008 NBC Penguins-Sabres

3.74 million Jan. 2, 2012 NBC Rangers-Flyers

3.68 million Jan. 1, 2010 NBC Flyers-Bruins

Yesterday’s game produced a 2.1 rating and 4 share equaling the last Winter Classic played during the afternoon (2010 – 2.1/4). Last year’s primetime game generated a 2.3 rating and 4 share. The rating for this year’s contest built every half hour from 5 pm ET until the conclusion of the game, peaking at a 2.7 for the final segment (6-6:08 p.m. ET).

Philadelphia led all markets with an 11.9/21 rating, almost doubling the 6.0/11 rating the market produced for the 2010 game when the Flyers were the visitors against the Bruins at Fenway Park.

New York posted a 4.3/9 rating, up 65 percent versus the 2.6/6 average for the market for the four previous Winter Classics, none of which involved a New York team.

TOP LOCAL MARKETS FOR 2012 BRIDGESTONE NHL WINTER CLASSIC

1. Philadelphia, 11.9/21

2. Buffalo, 7.8/13

3. Boston, 5.1/9

4. Pittsburgh, 4.4/8

T5. New York, 4.3/9

T5. Washington D.C., 4.3/8

7. Providence, 3.8/7

8. Richmond, 3.1/5

9. Baltimore, 2.9/5

10. Minneapolis, 2.7/6

–NBC Sports Group–

Filed Under: NBC, NHL, Ratings
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