Posted by chicagomedia.org on September 23, 2009 at 14:03:07:
Ratings report: Big Sunday for Bears, Comcast SportsNet and NBC
Posted by Ed S.
at 9/22/2009 3:10 AM CDT on Chicago Business
Comcast SportsNet was a main beneficiary of the Bears' exciting victory over Pittsburgh on Sunday.
Excitement over Robbie Gould's game-winning field goal had viewers turning from WBBM-Ch. 2 to CSN for "Bears Postgame Live." The show attracted its largest audience ever, with a 1.52 rating for the 90-minute broadcast; 1 local ratings point is worth more than 35,000 homes.
CSN peaked at a 2.3 rating during the opening 15 minutes, meaning more than 80,000 homes were tuned to the telecast.
The game itself did a huge 30.3 rating on Ch. 2. Through two games, Bears ratings are up 16% thanks in part to later starting times; the opener was in prime time, and Sunday's game was in the late afternoon doubleheader window. WFLD-Ch. 32 will benefit from another late starting time Sunday, as the Bears game in Seattle kicks off at 3:05 p.m.
If you want to relive the big game, NFL Network will air an abridged replay (minus halftime and other non-essential moments) Tuesday at 8:30 p.m. In addition to CBS' telecast, it will feature sideline and on-field sound, post-game interviews and other camera angles from NFL Films.
NBC wins: NBC felt the full effect of a big Dallas-Giants game coupled with curiosity over the new Cowboys Stadium on Sunday. The overnight national rating of the major markets was a 16.5, the highest for a prime-time game in 11 years. The game also easily outdistanced the Emmys, which did a 10 rating on CBS. Take that, Neil Patrick Harris.