Tuesday, September 25, 2007

SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL NO. 1 SHOW FOR 3RD STRAIGHT WEEK; 1ST TIME FOR NFL PREMIER PRIMETIME FRANCHISE

by Adam M Freifeld
@nbcuni.com

Top-Rated Broadcast Since “American Idol” Finale

Best Cowboys Rating in Dallas in a Decade

NEW YORK – September 25, 2007 - "NBC Sunday Night Football," which this week featured the Dallas Cowboys 34-10 victory over the Chicago Bears, was the No. 1 primetime program in all of television for the third consecutive week, the first time in Nielsen People Meter history (September 1987) that the NFL's premier primetime franchise ("NBC Sunday Night Football" 2006-present or ABC Monday Night Football 1970-2005) has been the top show for three straight weeks.

The SNF game was also the top-rated television broadcast since May's "American Idol" finale.

TOP-RATED BROADCAST SINCE MAY'S 'IDOL' FINALE
· With 19 million viewers, the SNF game is the top rated program on network television since the "American Idol" finale on May 23.

BEST NFL PRIMETIME RATING THIS SEASON
· The Cowboys-Bears game (8:30-11:15 p.m., ET) was the top rated NFL primetime broadcast this season earning an 11.8 national rating and 19 share up 18 percent from last year's Broncos/Patriots game (10.7/16, 9/26/06). The 19.0 million viewers marks an increase of 22 percent from last year's 15.6 million.

SNF DEFEATS PREMIERS ON CBS AND FOX
· Sunday Night Football was the top rated program on Sunday night among households, viewers and all key demographics, beating the CBS (Cold Case, Shark) and Fox (Simpsons, King of the Hill, Family Guy) season premiere programming.

BEST IN DALLAS IN A DECADE
· The Cowboys-Bears game was the highest-rated Cowboys regular-season broadcast in Dallas in nearly a decade (December 13, 1998) with a 37.2 local rating, according to the Dallas Morning News.