THE NFL ON CBS’s broadcast of the AFC Divisional Playoff game featuring the New York Jets’ 28-21 win over the New England Patriots on Sunday, Jan. 16 averaged 43.5 million viewers, which is projected to be the highest viewer average and most-watched Divisional Playoff game on any network (dating as far back as CBS records exist, 1987-88). (Final ratings will be available on Friday, January 21.) Sunday’s AFC Divisional Playoff Game Earns Fast National Rating/Share of 24.2/42, Up 20%
On Saturday, Jan. 15 THE NFL ON CBS’s broadcast of the AFC Divisional Playoff game featuring the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 31-24 win over the Baltimore Ravens averaged 34.0 million viewers and was the highest viewer average for the Saturday AFC or NFC Divisional playoff game on any network since 1988 (34.0M; Minnesota-San Francisco; CBS) on January 9, 1988.
THE NFL ON CBS averaged 38.5 million viewers for its two AFC Divisional Playoff games making it the highest viewer average ever for any network’s two AFC or NFC games during a Divisional Playoff weekend.
Sunday’s 43.5 million viewers was an increase of 22% over last year’s 35.6 million for the N.Y. Jets-San Diego game.
Saturday’s 34.0 million viewers was an increase of 11% over last year’s 30.6 million for the Baltimore-Indianapolis game.
The Jets-Patriots game on Sunday earned an average fast national live+same-day household rating/share of 24.2/42, up 20% from a 20.1/35 for last year’s AFC Divisional Playoff game between the New York Jets and San Diego. The 24.2/42 was the highest-rated AFC or NFC Sunday Divisional playoff game on any network in 14 years (27.6/49; Dallas-Carolina; FOX) on January 5, 1997.
The rating/share for the game peaked with a 28.4/44 with an average of 52.3 million viewers (7:30-7:48 PM, ET).
The Ravens-Steelers game on Saturday earned an average fast national live+same-day household rating/share of 19.4/38, up +14% from a 17.0/29 for last year’s AFC Divisional Playoff game between Baltimore and Indianapolis. The 19.4/38 was the highest-rated AFC or NFC Saturday Divisional playoff game on any network in 15 years (22.2/42; Green Bay-San Francsisco; FOX) on January 6, 1996.
The rating/share for the Ravens-Steelers game peaked with a 23.5/42 with an average of 42.9 million viewers (7:30-8:00 PM, ET).
(source: CBS)
