NBC’s final NFL Wild Card Saturday doubleheader went out with a big bang. The first time that two playoff games on the same day that had margins under two points gave NBC huge ratings. Kansas City-Indianapolis and New Orleans-Philadelphia gave the Peacock an average overnight rating of 18.7/32 which is up 9% from last year’s doubleheader.
For the opener in which Indy conducted the 2nd biggest comeback in NFL playoff history, NBC saw a 17.2/31. That is the 2nd highest Saturday afternoon Wild Card playoff game in 15 years. Kansas City was the highest-rated local market for the game with a 48.0/69 followed by Indianapolis with 41.3/62. Denver was third with a 28.0/49 which is quite impressive.
In the nightcap, NBC averaged an amazing 20.5/33 for the Saints-Eagles. NBC says that is the 2nd highest-rated primetime Wild Card playoff game of all-time since the NFL instituted the Saturday 4:30 p.m./8 p.m. format in 2002.
New Orleans was the top-rated local market for the primetime game garnering a mind-blowing 55.8/74 while Philly was second with a 42.0/60.
Both games went down to the wire so it gave fans plenty of reasons to watch. NBC will take these numbers to the bank. And the last Wild Card Saturday doubleheader for NBC goes out on a high note.
Next year, ESPN enters the Wild Card playoff realm and NBC will have single playoff games in the Wild Card and Divisional Weekends. And we’ll see what happens if the NFL expands the playoffs if other networks will get a doubleheader.
Here’s the press release from NBC.
NBC’S WILD “WILD CARD SATURDAY” AVERAGES 18.7/32 OVERNIGHT – UP 9% FROM LAST YEAR & 2ND-BEST UNDER CURRENT PLAYOFF TV FORMAT
Colts’ Thrilling 28-Point Comeback in 45-44 Win vs. Chiefs in AFC Wild Card Draws 17.2/31 Overnight – Best Saturday Afternoon AFC Wild Card Game in 15 Years
Saints’ 26-24 Victory on Final Play at Eagles in NFC Wild Card Earns 20.5/33 Overnight – up 12% From ’13 and No. 2 Primetime Wild Card Game of All-TimeSTAMFORD, Conn. – January 5, 2014 – Yesterday’s thrilling NBC “Wild Card Saturday” featuring two playoff games decided by two points-or-less on the same day for the first time in NFL postseason history averaged a combined 18.7 overnight rating and 32 share – up 9% from last year (17.2/31) and ranking as the second-best Wild Card Saturday under the current TV format (since 2002).
The combined 18.7/32 average overnight ranks No. 2 behind only the Jan. 8, 2011 Wild Card Saturday on NBC (19.6/33 average for two one-score games: Saints-Seahawks in NFC followed by Jets-Colts in AFC) since the NFL implemented the current Wild Card Saturday TV windows in January 2002 (2001 NFL season).
BEST SATURDAY AFTERNOON AFC WILD CARD GAME SINCE ’99: The Indianapolis Colts’ wild 45-44 come-from-behind victory over the Kansas City Chiefs in the early game, highlighted by the second-largest comeback in NFL playoff history (28 points) and the most combined yardage in an NFL postseason game (1,049 yards), earned a 17.2/31 overnight – the best for a Saturday afternoon AFC Wild Card game since 1999 and up 6% from last season (16.2/31 for Houston’s 19-13 win over Cincinnati). The telecast (4:30-8:00 p.m. ET) peaked with a 21.3/36 overnight rating for the exciting conclusion from 7:30-8 p.m. ET.
The 17.2/31 for the Colts’ victory over Kansas City, highlighted by Andrew Luck’s 443 passing yards and four touchdown throws and T.Y. Hilton’s 13 receptions for 224 yards and two scores, is the highest overnight for a Saturday afternoon AFC Wild Card since the January 2, 1999 Buffalo-Miami game (17.9/37 on ABC). In that game, Dan Marino and the Dolphins won 24-17 after Miami’s defense stopped a Doug Flutie-led Bills drive on the Miami 5-yard line with 17 seconds remaining.
What they said on-air about the Chiefs-Colts thriller:
- “In my wildest dreams, I never saw the high-scoring shootout coming.” – Mike Mayock, NBC analyst for Chiefs-Colts
- “Andrew Luck and the Colts are going to move on, with a wild Wild Card win over the Kansas City Chiefs.” – Dan Hicks, NBC play-by-play for Chiefs-Colts
- “What are we going to do for an encore after that game.” – Al Michaels, NBC play-by-play for Saints-Eagles
- “Just after you think you’ve seen it all…” – Cris Collinsworth, NBC analyst for Saints-Eagles, in response to Michaels
SECOND-BEST OVERNIGHT EVER FOR PRIMETIME WILD CARD: The New Orleans Saints’ 26-24 win over the Philadelphia Eagles on the final play of the primetime NFC Wild Card posted a 20.5/33 overnight, up 12% from last year (18.3/30 for Green Bay’s 24-10 win over Minnesota) and the second-best overnight ever for a primetime Wild Card game. The NFC Wild Card (8:15-11:15 p.m. ET) overnight rating peaked at a 22.2/36 for the game’s climactic finish from11-11:15 p.m. ET.
The 20.5/33 overnight for the Saints’ first road playoff victory in franchise history – led by quarterback Drew Brees (10 for 12 for 152 yards and a touchdown in the second half) and kicker Shayne Graham (four field goals, including the game winner as time expired) – ranked second among primetime NFL Wild Card games behind NBC’s telecast of the New York Jets’ 17-16 defeat of the Indianapolis Colts on Jan. 8, 2011 (20.8/33) on a field goal on the last play of what would be Peyton Manning’s final game as Colts QB.
Top 10 Metered Markets for Chiefs-Colts:
1. Kansas City, 48.0/69
2. Indianapolis, 41.3/62
3. Denver, 28.0/49
4. New Orleans 24.9/38
5. Seattle 21.6/45
5. Richmond 21.6/35
7. Sacramento, 21.5/42
7. Norfolk, 21.5/33
9. Buffalo, 21.0/35
10. Dayton, 20.9/35Top 10 Metered Markets for Eagles-Saints:
1. New Orleans, 55.8/74
2. Philadelphia, 42.0/60
3. Richmond, 27.3/40
4. Denver, 26.9/43
5. Seattle 26.7/45
6. Sacramento, 26.4/41
7. Greensboro, 24.8/35
8. Memphis, 24.4/34
9. Charlotte, 24.0/37
9. Baltimore, 24.0/36
9. San Diego, 24.0/43
That is all.
