NFL Remains Hugely Popular: Shatters Previous Television Ratings

by Josh Kirkendall on Sep 16, 2010 2:00 PM EDT

Football is hugely popular. The NFL especially. Though I have a suspicion that many NFL fans are football fans in general that don't mind getting caught up in a high school football game; then again, that might just be an Ohio and Texas thing. Either way, football is more awesome than the word awesome is awesome. Feel me?

According to the NFL, last weekend's kickoff opener was the most watched opening weekend since 1987, averaging 19.5 million viewers for games between September 9-13. Every NFL game ranked first in their respective NFL market with New Orleans pulling an amazing 60.0 rating -- by far tops in the NFL.

Cincinnati's loss to the New England Patriots was the most watched program during the game's broadcast with a 27.0 rating and a household share of 51%. In other words, of all the people that had that little Neilson box in Cincinnati's NFL market, the game was on over half of those households.

Other notes:

Approximately 15 million viewers tuned into the Ravens-Jets game, which is the most viewed season opening Monday Night Football Game ever.
CBS' early games (Cincinnati-New England and Houston-Indianapolis) drew 16.2 million viewers; most-watched opening weekend for CBS during 1 p.m. games.
Fox's national games, including hugely popular Packers and Eagles game, drew 28 million viewers.

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The new 50 us line.

I heard this the other day when talking about NFL tix sales," the new 50 yd line is at home on your couch in front of you flat screen."

by DonMegga on Sep 16, 2010 2:40 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

The new 50 yd line.

Sorry…fat fingers.

by DonMegga on Sep 16, 2010 2:41 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Sunny in Philadelphia starts tonight. FX at 10pm Eastern

by Diesel2405 on Sep 16, 2010 6:33 PM EDT up reply actions

And yet they are going to throw it all away...

when they have a strike next year.

by BonnieBengal on Sep 16, 2010 6:31 PM EDT reply actions

Please don't hurt us!

I will die if there is a strike. It’s like no food or water…no life! I don’t want to go through a harsh cold winter with no football. That’s all we have in the winter! I watch every NFL game I possibly can. Especially my Bengals!! Seriously, if they strike I will denounce football for life. The fans don’t deserve to suffer because of the greed and lack of integrity the owners have in modern day sports. Don’t get me wrong, the players make a ton of money, but to demand a pay cut of the players and wanting the same job done is ridiculous. How many people out there are willing to take pay cuts so their rich bosses can get even richer? Not me. I don’t care how much I make, I’m not going to work for less pay than what I’ve been working at for years, to a boss that is always richer no matter how much he pays me. I’m with the players all the way on this one. It’s not the owners out there risking their lives and functionality past the age of 40 out there, it’s the players. Not the rich ass punk owners who do nothing but suck money from the tax payers and then raise ticket prices to reduce their costs and pass it on to us, the fans, who comparatively make next to nothing. This totally disgusts me in every way possible. I hope the owners choke and die on their precious money. Harsh, I know, but it’s what they deserve.

by minddrifter on Sep 17, 2010 6:58 AM EDT reply actions