Ratings Roundup: Phillies Red Hot on Field and in Ratings Game

The Philadelphia Phillies, winners of 10 straight, have seen record-breaking ratings this week, as Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia recorded its three highest-rated Phillies games ever during the team’s three-game series with the Braves this week (Monday-Wednesday). The three-game Braves-Phillies series provided CSN Philadelphia with three straight record highs: Monday’s 14.5 rating, Tuesday’s 15.0, and Wednesday’s 15.2.

During the month of September, Phillies games on Comcast SportsNet are averaging a 10.9 rating (324,000 households), 33% higher than the season average of 8.2 (244,000 households). This season’s 8.2 average rating is 15% higher than last year’s average of 7.14, which was the network’s highest-rated Phillies season in its 13-year history.

NFL telecasts continued to see huge ratings during the first two weeks, with four NFL telecasts attracting more than 25 million viewers each. Last season, nine telecasts logged at least 25 million, and, two years ago, only three telecasts attracted 25 million-plus.

CBS is averaging an 11.7 rating and 19.382 million viewers for NFL coverage through Week 2, the highest average for the AFC broadcast package since at least 1987, when Nielsen began keeping records. CBS’s Sunday-afternoon national window (featuring New England Patriots-New York Jets) logged a 16.2 final rating and 27.010 million viewers, up 12% and 13%, respectively, from last year (14.5, 23.879 million). It was CBS’s most-viewed September NFL telecast since 1987.

Through the first two weeks (three games), ESPN’s Monday Night Football averaged a 10.3 rating and 14.13 million viewers, up 3% and 5%, respectively.

NBC’s opening three games (two on Sunday, one on Thursday) have averaged a 15.1 rating and 25.3 million viewers, up 12% and 13%, respectively over last year’s 13.5 and 22.3 million for the opening two weeks of the NFL season.

Fox also saw success in Week 2, with Sunday’s Chicago Bears-Dallas Cowboys game registering a 10.6 final rating and 17.769 million viewers, up 10% and 15%, respectively, from last year (9.6, 15.411 million).