or


[09/11/06 - 12:00 AM]
NBC Sunday Night Football' Opener Outrates Every Monday Night Football Opener Since 2000
[via press release from NBC]

'NBC SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL' OPENER OUTRATES EVERY MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL OPENER SINCE 2000

14.3 Rating Up 10% from 2005

NEW YORK � Sept. 11, 2006 � Last night's "NBC Sunday Night Football" debut scored a 14.3 household rating/23 share, outrating every "Monday Night Football" opener since the highly anticipated debut of Dennis Miller in 2000, according to fast national ratings provided by Nielsen Media Research. The showdown between older brother Peyton Manning and the younger Eli (8:15-11:15 p.m. ET), won by the Indianapolis Colts 26-21 at Giants Stadium, was also up ten percent from last year's "MNF" opener (13.0).

The only "MNF" game in the past five years to rate higher featured the undefeated Indianapolis Colts versus the eventual Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers last season (14.8 on 11/28/2005).

After two games, "NBC Sunday Night Football" is averaging a 13.5/22, 10 percent higher than "MNF" after two games in 2005 (12.3/21 � averages include Thursday night season openers). This is the best two game average for the NFL's network primetime package since 2000 (13.8/24).

Viewership numbers will be available later this afternoon.

"NBC Sunday Night Football" Week One Top Metered Markets
1. Indianapolis 34.2/46
2. Memphis 23.5/31
3. Nashville 22.4/32
4. Pittsburgh 21.7/30
5. Denver 20.2/30
6. Richmond 18.6/27
7. Orlando 18.5/26
8. West Palm Beach 18.4/28
9. Charlotte 18.2/27
10. Tampa 18.1/27
11. Cincinnati 17.9/27
12. New York 17.8/26

[EDITOR'S NOTE: What follows is the afternoon update with the final national Nielsen ratings.]

UPDATED: 'NBC SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL' OPENER OUTRATES EVERY MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL OPENER SINCE 2000

14.3 Rating Up 10% from 2005

UPDATED WITH VIEWERSHIP INFORMATION

NEW YORK � Sept. 11, 2006 � Last night's "NBC Sunday Night Football" debut scored a 14.3 household rating/23 share, outrating every "Monday Night Football" opener since the highly anticipated debut of Dennis Miller in 2000, according to fast national ratings provided by Nielsen Media Research. The showdown between older brother Peyton Manning and the younger Eli (8:15-11:15 p.m. ET), won by the Indianapolis Colts 26-21 at Giants Stadium, was also up ten percent from last year's "MNF" opener (13.0).

The only "MNF" game in the past five years to rate higher featured the undefeated Indianapolis Colts versus the eventual Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers last season (14.8 on 11/28/2005).

Last night's game averaged 22.7 million viewers � up 16% from last season's "MNF" opener, and the best viewership number for any primetime regular-season game since the 2000 opener (22.9 million).

50 million total, unduplicated viewers watched last night's "NBC Sunday Night Football," the highest total for a primetime opening game since the 1996 "MNF" opener.

After two games, "NBC Sunday Night Football" is averaging a 13.5/22, 10 percent higher than "MNF" after two games in 2005 (12.3/21 � averages include Thursday night season openers). This is the best two game average for the NFL's network primetime package since 2000 (13.8/24).

Next week and in the weeks thereafter, final national ratings for "NBC Sunday Night Football" will be available Tuesdays.

"NBC Sunday Night Football" Week One Top Metered Markets
1. Indianapolis 34.2/46
2. Memphis 23.5/31
3. Nashville 22.4/32
4. Pittsburgh 21.7/30
5. Denver 20.2/30
6. Richmond 18.6/27
7. Orlando 18.5/26
8. West Palm Beach 18.4/28
9. Charlotte 18.2/27
10. Tampa 18.1/27
11. Cincinnati 17.9/27
12. New York 17.8/26





  [september 2006]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
     


· MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL (ESPN)
· SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL (NBC)




[02/22/25 - 08:09 AM]
"Portobello," from Marco Bellocchio, Debuts on Max in 2026
Max has announced its first Italian scripted original production.
[02/21/25 - 11:56 PM]
Development Update: Week of February 17-21
Updates include: ABC gives series order to "9-1-1: Nashville"; "Jury Duty" to return for season two on Prime Video; and CBS's "Zarna" pilot casts Rizwan Manji and Chandni Shah.
[02/21/25 - 02:45 PM]
4 Nations Face-Off: Canada-USA Championship Game Delivers 9.3 Million Viewers; ESPN's Largest Hockey Audience Ever
The telecast peaked with 10.4 million viewers and was the most-viewed non-NFL event ever on ESPN+.
[02/21/25 - 11:22 AM]
New Vice Series "The Grudge" Premieres on March 26
Taking viewers inside sports' fiercest rivalries, where every game is more than a contest - it's a battle for pride, redemption, and legacy.
[02/21/25 - 10:15 AM]
"High Potential" Finishes Spectacular First Season Hitting Series Highs
In addition, "High Potential" achieved a remarkable benchmark for the finale episode, earning a series high on streaming and becoming ABC's best drama episode ever, based on seven-day views on Hulu and Hulu on Disney+.
[02/21/25 - 10:00 AM]
FOX's "The Quiz with Balls" Hosted by Jay Pharoah Rolls Into Season Two with Renewal of Hit Game Show
The popular game show pits brains against balls, combining a high stakes quiz show and a large-scale physical competition with each episode featuring two families competing for $100,000 in an epic "battle of the balls."
[02/21/25 - 09:01 AM]
Video: "CHAOS: The Manson Murders" - Official Trailer - Netflix
Directed by Errol Morris, the film untangles a web of conspiracy involving the CIA, LSD, Jack Ruby, the Manson Family, and Vincent Bugliosi, casting doubt on the official story of the 1960s' most infamous killing spree.
[02/21/25 - 08:00 AM]
"The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim" Begins Streaming Exclusively on Max February 28
Set 183 years before the events chronicled in the original trilogy of films, "The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim" tells the fate of the House of Helm Hammerhand, the legendary King of Rohan.
[02/21/25 - 12:01 AM]
Video: Netflix Unveils the Premiere Date and First Look of Dome Karukoski's "Little Siberia"
A pastor's faith turns upside down when a meteorite lands in his small Finnish town, its impact stirring up chaos and criminal intentions.
[02/20/25 - 04:01 PM]
Video: "When Life Gives You Tangerines" - Official Trailer - Netflix
In Jeju, a spirited girl and a steadfast boy's island story blossoms into a lifelong tale of setbacks and triumphs - proving love endures across time.
[02/20/25 - 04:01 PM]
Fremantle Announces "Neighbours" Will Be Resting from December 2025
"As this chapter closes, we appreciate and thank Amazon MGM Studios for all that they have done for 'Neighbours' - bringing this iconic and much-loved series to new audiences globally," said Jason Herbison.
[02/20/25 - 04:01 PM]
ESPN Statement on Decision to Opt Out of Major League Baseball Deal
"We are grateful for our longstanding relationship with Major League Baseball and proud of how ESPN's coverage super-serves fans," said the company.
[02/20/25 - 01:22 PM]
Lifetime Announces Two New Original Movies for This Spring
Look for "Taken at a Basketball Game," starring D.B. Woodside and Claire Qute, on March 15; followed by "Wife Stalker," starring Keshia Knight Pulliam, on March 29.
[02/20/25 - 01:01 PM]
Leighton Meester to Guest Star in "Nobody Wants This" Season 2
She'll be playing Kristen Bell's middle school nemesis who Joanne crosses paths with as an adult.
[02/20/25 - 12:30 PM]
Hulu Renews Hit Drama Series "Paradise," from Dan Fogelman and Starring Sterling K. Brown, for a Second Season
Following the season one finale on Hulu on March 4, "Paradise" will air a full first season run on ABC beginning Monday, April 7 at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT.