The ratings for the four divisional playoff games from last weekend were down compared to last year, but they were still ratings winners according to the National Football League.
The NFL Divisional Playoffs and college football’s BCS Championship Game accounted for the five most-watched shows on TV last week.
Each of the NFL Divisional Playoff games had nine million more viewers than the annual Golden Globe Awards (14.9 million) and 11 million more viewers than the season debut of “24” (12.6 million).
Most-Watched Shows on Television, Week of Jan. 5-11, 2009
1. CBS AFC Divisional Playoff (Chargers-Steelers) 34.1 million
2. FOX NFC Divisional Playoff (Eagles-Giants) 31.4 million
3. BCS Championship Game (Florida-Oklahoma) 26.8 million
4. CBS AFC Divisional Playoff (Ravens-Titans) 25.5 million
5. FOX NFC Divisional Playoff (Cardinals-Panthers) 23.8 million
6. The Mentalist 19.6 million
7. NCIS 19.1 million
8. Tostitos Fiesta Bowl (Texas-Ohio State) 17.1 million
9. 60 Minutes 15.0 million
10. Golden Globe Awards 14.9 million
Source: NFL & Nielsen Media Research
With Arizona in the NFC Championship, the ratings for that game might be down, but we’ll see.
