NBC's "SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL" WINS AGAIN

Colts-Cardinals Blowout Beats Network Premieres

NEW YORK � Sept. 28, 2009 � NBC's "Sunday Night Football" was the No. 1 broadcast on Sunday night for the third consecutive week and, for the first time this season, aired against tough competition from season premieres on three networks. "SNF" won the night opposite season premieres of ABC's Desperate Housewives and Brothers & Sisters, CBS's Amazing Race and Fox's Simpsons and Family Guy.

"Sunday Night Football" featuring the Indianapolis Colts at the Arizona Cardinals, earned an 11.8 overnight rating and 19 share (from 8:30-11:15 p.m. ET). The overnight rating peaked at a 13.0/20 from 9:30 and 10 p.m. ET as the Colts took firm control of the game, 21-3.

"SNF" BEATS "DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES": "Sunday Night Football" beat the much-anticipated season premiere of ABC's "Desperate Housewives" head-to-head by 59 percent (12.7 vs. 8.0 from 9-10 p.m. ET).

In metered-market households, NBC's "Sunday Night Football" ruled the night, with NBC's 7-11 p.m. primetime average 9.5/16 in the metered markets establishing a 20 percent margin of victory over CBS's second-place 7.9/13.

The Colts-Cardinals 31-10 blowout is down 18 percent from last year's Week 3 Dallas Cowboys-Green Bay Packers match-up (14.4/22). That game, won by "America's Team" 27-16, also did not air against the season premieres on the three other networks.

NOTE: Viewership totals will be available when Nielsen releases national ratings on Tuesday.