ESPN is the latest beneficiary of the Cowboys’ resurgence.
The Week 8 Washington/Cowboys Monday Night Football game drew a 12.1 overnight rating on ESPN, up 59% from Seahawks/Rams last year (7.6) and up 46% from 49ers/Cardinals in 2012 (8.3). Keep in mind both of those games aired opposite the World Series.
The 12.1 overnight is the highest for MNF since 2010, when Saints/Falcons drew the same overnight in Week 16 and Giants/Cowboys drew a 12.3 in Week 5. The previous high this season was a mere 9.9 for Colts/Eagles in Week 2.
For the first time this season, Monday Night Football drew a higher overnight rating than Sunday Night Footballon NBC (11.4). SNF faced competition from the World Series.
The ESPN telecast drew a 17.8 rating in Washington, DC, and a 14.0 in Dallas. The game was simulcast on local affiliates in both markets, earning a 12.6 on Washington independent affiliate WDCA and a 22.6 on Dallas ABC affiliate WFAA. Richmond (24.7), San Antonio (24.5) and Norfolk (20.2) rounded out the top five, reports Sports Media Watch.