NFL gains ground in TV ratings opposite second presidential debate
The early returns are in, and at least somebody gained ground in Sunday night’s presidential debate.
The NFL nearly doubled its TV ratings opposite Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton from the first debate to the second, netting a 10.2 overnight rating for Sunday Night Football, Sports Media Watch reported.
While the 10.2 rating — meaning 10.2 percent of the nation’s 118.4 million households were tuned to the Green Bay Packers’ 23-16 victory against the New York Giants — reportedly represents the lowest SNF rating since the Packers visited the Minnesota Vikings opposite the World Series in October 2013, the viewership is a significant increase from the 5.7 rating the NFL got during the first debate for a Monday Night Football matchup between the Atlanta Falcons and New Orleans Saints in Week 3.
Competing head-to-head with Presidential Town Hall Debate, Giants-Packers on NBC’s SNF posts 10.2/15 overnight (not including digital)
— NBC Sports PR (@NBCSportsPR) October 10, 2016
Meanwhile, debate ratings fell 19 percent from Sept. 26, when a combined 46.2 percent of people tuned in to one of the multiple major networks and other news channels broadcasting the first meeting between Trump and Clinton, to Sunday night’s 37.2 overnight rating, per Sports Media Watch.
37.2 overnight rating and 53 share for the 2nd debate.
-19% lower than the 1st debate (46.2/63)
-7% lower than 2012 2nd debate (40.0/57)
— Michael Mulvihill (@mulvihill79) October 10, 2016
Naturally, New York’s media market helped Sunday’s Packers-Giants showdown pick up plenty of viewers from the Atlanta-New Orleans game two weeks ago, but there may also be more casual TV watchers choosing to view two teams butting heads rather than Trump and Clinton do the same.
The final presidential debate is scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 19, with no NFL game to oppose.
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