or


[09/11/06 - 12:00 AM]
NBC Sunday Night Football' Opener Outrates Every Monday Night Football Opener Since 2000

[via press release from NBC]

'NBC SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL' OPENER OUTRATES EVERY MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL OPENER SINCE 2000

14.3 Rating Up 10% from 2005

NEW YORK � Sept. 11, 2006 � Last night's "NBC Sunday Night Football" debut scored a 14.3 household rating/23 share, outrating every "Monday Night Football" opener since the highly anticipated debut of Dennis Miller in 2000, according to fast national ratings provided by Nielsen Media Research. The showdown between older brother Peyton Manning and the younger Eli (8:15-11:15 p.m. ET), won by the Indianapolis Colts 26-21 at Giants Stadium, was also up ten percent from last year's "MNF" opener (13.0).

The only "MNF" game in the past five years to rate higher featured the undefeated Indianapolis Colts versus the eventual Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers last season (14.8 on 11/28/2005).

After two games, "NBC Sunday Night Football" is averaging a 13.5/22, 10 percent higher than "MNF" after two games in 2005 (12.3/21 � averages include Thursday night season openers). This is the best two game average for the NFL's network primetime package since 2000 (13.8/24).

Viewership numbers will be available later this afternoon.

"NBC Sunday Night Football" Week One Top Metered Markets
1. Indianapolis 34.2/46
2. Memphis 23.5/31
3. Nashville 22.4/32
4. Pittsburgh 21.7/30
5. Denver 20.2/30
6. Richmond 18.6/27
7. Orlando 18.5/26
8. West Palm Beach 18.4/28
9. Charlotte 18.2/27
10. Tampa 18.1/27
11. Cincinnati 17.9/27
12. New York 17.8/26

[EDITOR'S NOTE: What follows is the afternoon update with the final national Nielsen ratings.]

UPDATED: 'NBC SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL' OPENER OUTRATES EVERY MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL OPENER SINCE 2000

14.3 Rating Up 10% from 2005

UPDATED WITH VIEWERSHIP INFORMATION

NEW YORK � Sept. 11, 2006 � Last night's "NBC Sunday Night Football" debut scored a 14.3 household rating/23 share, outrating every "Monday Night Football" opener since the highly anticipated debut of Dennis Miller in 2000, according to fast national ratings provided by Nielsen Media Research. The showdown between older brother Peyton Manning and the younger Eli (8:15-11:15 p.m. ET), won by the Indianapolis Colts 26-21 at Giants Stadium, was also up ten percent from last year's "MNF" opener (13.0).

The only "MNF" game in the past five years to rate higher featured the undefeated Indianapolis Colts versus the eventual Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers last season (14.8 on 11/28/2005).

Last night's game averaged 22.7 million viewers � up 16% from last season's "MNF" opener, and the best viewership number for any primetime regular-season game since the 2000 opener (22.9 million).

50 million total, unduplicated viewers watched last night's "NBC Sunday Night Football," the highest total for a primetime opening game since the 1996 "MNF" opener.

After two games, "NBC Sunday Night Football" is averaging a 13.5/22, 10 percent higher than "MNF" after two games in 2005 (12.3/21 � averages include Thursday night season openers). This is the best two game average for the NFL's network primetime package since 2000 (13.8/24).

Next week and in the weeks thereafter, final national ratings for "NBC Sunday Night Football" will be available Tuesdays.

"NBC Sunday Night Football" Week One Top Metered Markets
1. Indianapolis 34.2/46
2. Memphis 23.5/31
3. Nashville 22.4/32
4. Pittsburgh 21.7/30
5. Denver 20.2/30
6. Richmond 18.6/27
7. Orlando 18.5/26
8. West Palm Beach 18.4/28
9. Charlotte 18.2/27
10. Tampa 18.1/27
11. Cincinnati 17.9/27
12. New York 17.8/26





  [september 2006]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
     


· MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL (ABC)
· SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL (NBC)





[06/02/26 - 12:01 PM]
Netflix Top 10: Week of May 25 - "The Boroughs" Makes Itself at Home at No. 1 in This Week's Top 10
Plus: "Nemesis" stole away with the No. 2 spot on the list, commanding 5.9 million views.

[06/02/26 - 12:00 PM]
FOX Announces Additional Summer 2026 Premiere Dates
Highlights include the return of "Kitchen Nightmares" on Tuesday, July 21 and "Beat Shazam" on Tuesday, July 28.

[06/02/26 - 10:01 AM]
Video: BET Debuts Trailer and Announces Premiere Date for New Original Comedy Series, "Lot Patrol" from Manny Halley Productions
The series will premiere on BET on June 30, 2026 at 10 pm ET / 9 pm CT.

[06/02/26 - 09:29 AM]
Catch a New Season of "Lakefront Bargain Hunt Renovation" Premiering June 16 on Magnolia Network
With a bit of imagination and a lot of muscle, families transform their new vacation homes into the relaxing getaways they had always envisioned.

[06/02/26 - 09:21 AM]
BET Announces First-Ever Board of Advisors, Marking a New Era of Leadership and Cultural Stewardship
Established under the leadership of Louis Carr, President of BET, the Board brings together an influential collective of cultural icons, business leaders, and industry visionaries who will help guide BET's continued evolution as a force at the intersection of media, community, and culture.

[06/02/26 - 09:01 AM]
Video: "America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders" - Season 3 Official Trailer - Netflix
A new batch of hopefuls face fierce competition, high expectations and even higher kicks as they vie for a spot with the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders.

[06/02/26 - 08:30 AM]
Video: The Reign Ends Here - "All the Queen's Men" Reveals Trailer and First Look at Fifth and Final Season Premiering June 10 Only on Paramount+
The series will launch with two episodes, followed by a weekly rollout culminating in the mid-season finale on Wednesday, July 22.

[06/02/26 - 08:01 AM]
"Kaulitz & Kaulitz" Season 3 - Exclusively on Netflix from July 23, 2026
Germany's most popular twins once again take us along for the ride in their turbulent lives, sharing intimate moments, arguments, and scenes that go straight to the heart.

[06/02/26 - 08:01 AM]
Video: "Tony Hinchcliffe: Man of the People" - Sneak Peek - Netflix
Tony Hinchcliffe returns with another brutally unapologetic hour from comedy's favorite equal-opportunity offender.

[06/02/26 - 07:01 AM]
Video: Apple TV Unveils Trailer for Third Season of Its Globally Acclaimed Drama "Silo"
The 10-episode third season will premiere on Apple TV with the first episode on July 3, followed by one new episode every Friday through September 4, 2026.

[06/01/26 - 05:01 PM]
Video: "Husbands in Action" - Official Trailer - Netflix
A detective teams up with his ex-wife's new husband to chase down her kidnappers. Can this unlikely duo put aside their differences for one wild rescue?

[06/01/26 - 02:03 PM]
Exclusive Announcement Live From Crime Con 2026: Season 4 of the Hit Docuseries "Betrayal" to Stream on Hulu This August
In a room of thousands of fans of true crime and scandals, the team made a surprise exclusive announcement that Season 4 of the popular docuseries will stream on Hulu and Hulu on Disney+ for Bundle subscribers this August.

[06/01/26 - 02:02 PM]
"Squatters: Get the F*** Out of My House," A New Docuseries from Executive Producers Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos, Begins Streaming June 4 on Hulu
The six-part series follows ordinary people blindsided by manipulators who know exactly how to weaponize tenant protections and turn the legal system against the very people it's supposed to protect.

[06/01/26 - 01:00 PM]
Starz Sets September 18 Premiere Date for Epic Time-Traveling Romantic Drama "Outlander: Blood of My Blood"
Season one introduced viewers to the two different, but equally passionate, love stories of Claire's and Jamie's parents as they met and fought to be together against all odds.

[06/01/26 - 12:50 PM]
ESPN Announces June MLB Game of the Day Schedule
The Game of the Day schedule is an out-of-market offering and is subject to local blackout restrictions.