The NFL kickoff game on NBC between the New England Patriots and Kansas City Chiefs was down in the overnight ratings compared to the 2016 season opener.
According to Nielsen data, the Patriots-Chiefs game averaged a 14.6 rating in metered market households. That is down approximately 12% from the 2016 game, which drew a 16.5 rating. This is also the second year in a row the opening game has been down, with 2016 slipping from the 17.7 rating drawn in 2015. The drop comes as ratings for NFL football were down last season to the tune of 8% per game on average.
The top local markets for last night’s game were, in order:
– Providence 35.6/55
– Kansas City 35.5/55
– Boston 35.0/59
– Denver 20.6/38
– New Orleans 20.4/29
– Norfolk 18.9/31
– Richmond 18.9/30
– Buffalo 17.7/30
– Milwaukee 17.2/28
– Seattle 17.1/32
It should be noted, however, that the 14.6 rating is the best metered-market household rating for any network telecast in three months.
In the Nielsen fast national numbers, the game is averaging a 7.2 rating in adults 18-49 and 20.8 million viewers. Due to the nature of live sports, those numbers will likely see greater than normal adjustment later today when the final totals are calculated.
