One more press release before I end blogging for a bit. Gotta take a break sometime. This from NBC Sports stating that Saturday’s exciting Michigan-Notre Dame game became the most watched Fighting Irish telecast in 16 years. That’s quite impressive and I’m sure NBC is glowing after having some bad ratings over the past few seasons. Here’s the release.
MOST-WATCHED MICHIGAN-NOTRE DAME GAME ON NBC IN 16 YEARSMost-Watched ND Game on NBC in 5 Years2010 Two-Game Average Best in 4 YearsNEW YORK – September 14, 2010 – NBC Sports’ broadcast last Saturday of Michigan-Notre Dame was the most-watched game featuring those two teams on NBC in 16 years and the most-watched Notre Dame on NBC game vs. any team in five years. In addition, the average viewership and rating for the first two Notre Dame on NBC games this season are the best in four years.Saturday’s Michigan-Notre Dame game, which featured two unranked teams, was watched by 7.0 million viewers, making it the most-watched game on NBC between the two teams since September 10, 1994, when the Wolverines were ranked No. 6 and the Fighting Irish No. 3. It was also the most-watched Notre Dame game on NBC since October 15, 2005, when the then-No. 9 Irish hosted No. 1 USC.
The game was also:
- The most-watched Notre Dame on NBC game ever featuring two unranked teams
- The third-most watched Michigan-Notre Dame game ever on NBC (10.1 million, 1994; 7.3 million, 1992)
- The twelfth most-watched Notre Dame on NBC game ever
The game generated a 4.5/10 rating and share, the highest for a game vs. Michigan in eight years (9/14/02, 4.6/12) and highest for a Notre Dame on NBC game vs. any team in four years (9/9/06, Penn St., 4.7/11).
Notre Dame on NBC is averaging 5.4 million viewers and a 3.5/4 rating for the first two games of the 2010 season, the best average in both categories since 2006 (6.5 million; 4.5/11) when the Irish began their home season by hosting No. 19 Penn State and No. 11 Michigan. Notre Dame was ranked No. 4 and No. 2 in those games, respectively. NBC Sports’ broadcast of the Purdue-Notre Dame season opener on September 4 was up 74 percent and 69 percent in viewers and ratings, respectively.
TOP 5 MOST-WATCHED MICHIGAN-NOTRE DAME GAMES ON NBC#6 Michigan 26, #3 Notre Dame 24 September 10, 1994 10.1 million
#3 Notre Dame 17, #6 Michigan 17 September 12, 1992 7.3 million
Michigan 28, Notre Dame 24 September 11, 2010 7.0 million
#22 Notre Dame 36, #5 Michigan 20 September 5, 1998 6.6 million
#20 Notre Dame 25, #7 Michigan 23 September 14, 2002 6.5 million
That’s it for now. Back tonight.
