Posted on 08/07/2006 11:37:42 AM PDT by Shermy
The NFL returned to NBC for the first time in eight years last night, and while it’s not wise to make long-ranging predictions based on a preseason game between two mediocre teams, the ratings looked somewhat promising.
The preseason Hall of Fame game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Oakland Raiders on “Sunday Night Football” averaged 9.97 million viewers from 8 to 11 p.m., according to Nielsen fast national numbers. That was up 14 percent over the 8.73 million who tuned in for the comparable “Monday Night Football” game on ABC last year.
Fast nationals measure timeslot data and not actual program data; the game lasted past 11 p.m. More accurate numbers will be released early tomorrow, but early measures look as though the game was up slightly among adults 18-49 as well.
“SNF” averaged a 3.3 rating among adults 18-49, up 9 percent over last year’s 3.6 for the “MNF” opener.
“SNF” looks pretty similar to “MNF,” with John Madden and Al Michaels continuing to call the games. Beyond curiosity over what the NBC telecast would look like, the game may also have benefited from light competition. There was only one other original show, CBS’s “Big Brother,” that aired on broadcast over the three-hour period.
“SNF” will face steeper competition this fall, including ABC’s “Desperate Housewives” and CBS’s “Without a Trace.”
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I really don't understand ratings...
If it weren't for Bob Costas and the NBC logo, I would have sworn I was just watching ABC's MNF. Bringing Al Michaels and John Madden screams "We have no talent at NBC!"
Yeah, I'm torn. /sarc.
Less is more, good is bad... mediaspeak!
The new scheduling option that allows NBC to move the best game of the week to Sunday night will result in clobbering ABC's ratings from last year.
They didn't have any football talent! They hadn't broadcast an NFL game for almost ten years before last night.
I missed it; were the graphics comparable, as well as the sideline reporting?
It wasn't bad coverage, except for the inclusion of Costas & Collingsworth -- lose those two, and they're good to go.
I used to enjoy football on TV until it became a cultural event. For me the game is spoiled by the presence of so many talking heads that have become brand names. The Sunday night games should be high quality football, but John Madden is a little drifty nowadays, Al Michaels loves to talk about restaurants, and now we've got the blown dry Bob Costas chiming in from the studio. I'll bet the ratings will be a lot higher, but the coverage will still be lousy.
There was a game on?
Yeah, they were just intrusive. Along with what'sername on the sidelines.
So if you have tickets, NBC might just tell you that your plan for a nice sunny Sunday afternoon game has been turned into a 10 degree Sunday night nightmare.
"If it weren't for Bob Costas and the NBC logo, I would have sworn I was just watching ABC's MNF. Bringing Al Michaels and John Madden screams "We have no talent at NBC!"
I like Madden and Michaels doing MNF, now "SNF". I don't know why ESPN didn't take the two - are they going to staff MNF with some of their usual talk radio-speed talkers?
Also, putting MNF on an all sports outlet diminshes its specialness. I think SNF might kill it off, except some may be tired from watching football all Sunday.
And the SNF v. Desperate Housewives battles look to be ugly...
True dat.
Although she was easily twice the age of the eye candy that used to grace the sidelines on MNF. And about as knowledgeable.
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