Monday's final numbers still aren't available yet (processing delays due to Thanksgiving holiday, they should be available later in the morning) but in early metered market numbers, according to our friend Dave Walker at The Times-Picayune, in the local New Orleans market the Monday Night Football game pulled a 66.7 rating! That's 2 out of 3 households -- or about 423,000 (households, not people) in New Orleans tuned into the game.
Everyone loves a winner. Monday night's game eclipsed the November 2 Monday night game where the Saints defeated the Atlanta Falcons which pulled a 63.9 rating.
According to frequent commenter "Mikey" who has access to a treasure trove of data, in the New Orleans market, that eclipsed every Super Bowl ever! Of course, if the Saints make it to the Super Bowl (whether they are 18-0 at the time, or not), based on the regular season ratings I think you can count on a 70+ But if they are still undefeated entering the playoffs, even the first round playoff game might get that high.
And when you consider the Patriots themselves were in pursuit of a perfect season just a couple years ago, it made this matchup more appealing to the average viewer, let alone football fan. I admit I sampled some of it this week, and I normally cannot stomach ESPN’s “MNF” crew.
oops, accidentally posted a comment meant for another thread here!
I’m guessing the average viewer numbers for this game will be good. Undefeated team + former undefeated team + Drew Brees + Tom Brady etc, and I’d agree there is more interest than normal for the casual viewer.
In addition to that Two and a Half Men and The Big Bang Theory in repeats without question helped. Plus, WWE Raw had its weakest celebrity guest host yet, so there’s no reason this wasn’t a success with males 18-49.
It had to help that the only network that was airing originals was NBC, which means that no network was airing originals that night.
FOX aired new episodes of House and Lie To Me
That is insane, that is a clear football market down their in New Orleans. The affiliate down there has to love when the Saints are on.
The only bad thing was that the game wasn’t close.
If their getting those type of ratings for a regular season game then just imagine in the playoffs and the Super Bowl. Its really time for the Saints to go to the Super Bowl and this would be the year to do it.
If the Saints make the Superbowl, I assure you that 3 out of every 3 households in New Orleans will tune in. Yes, I’m declaring 100% viewership.