Overnight ratings for Monday Night Football slipped from last year.
The Week 7 Steelers/Texans Monday Night Football game drew a 8.7 overnight rating on ESPN, down 8% from Vikings/Giants last year (9.5) but up 19% from Lions/Bears opposite the NLCS and a presidential debate in 2012 (7.3). Last year’s game, it should be noted, featured teams with a combined 1-10 record.
So far this season, six of eight MNF telecasts have had declines in the overnights — with the caveat that half of those six games have ended up with increases in final ratings.
Locally, the ESPN telecast drew a 14.3 in Houston and a 10.8 in Pittsburgh. The game was simulcast on local affiliates in both markets, earning a 13.0 on Houston CW affiliate KIAH and a 27.8 on Pittsburgh ABC affiliate WTAE. Las Vegas (15.1) was the top neutral market, followed by Sacramento and San Diego (12.2 in both markets), reports Sports Media Watch.