CBS is sure happy that this “Thursday Night Football” thing is back. Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos topped division rivals the Kansas City Chiefs last night, handing CBS a dominant overall victory as well.
In metered market households, “TNF” broke its own record with this season’s debut. The fast national numbers are not timezone-adjusted, and thus subject to change.
NBC finished in a distant second on the night with a pair of specials.
CBS was first in ratings with a 5.0 rating/17 share in the advertiser-coveted 18-49 demographic and in total viewers with an average of 15.2 million, according to preliminary numbers. The pregame show at 8 p.m. ET earned a 3.3/13 and 11.3 million viewers. At 8:30, the game itself scored a 5.3/18 and 16 million viewers.
NBC was second in ratings with a 1.1/4 and in viewers with 5.2 million. “Jeff Dunham: Unhinged in Hollywood” at 8 p.m. had a 1.2/5 and 6.4 million viewers. “Mat Franco’s Got Magic” at 9 got a 1.1/4 and 4.7 million viewers.
Univision and Telemundo tied for third in ratings, both with a 0.7. Univision had a 3 share, Telemundo had a 2. Univision was fourth in total viewers with 2.2 million, Telemundo was fifth with 1.7 million.
ABC was fifth in ratings with a 0.6/2, but third in viewers with 2.9 million, airing just reruns.
Fox was sixth in ratings with a 0.5/2 and in viewers with 1.4 million, running only a movie.
The CW was seventh in ratings with a 0.3/1 and in viewers with 1 million, airing repeats.