NFL Week 5 Overnights: NBC's "SNF" Lowest Since '13 With Debate, CBS Leads All Windows

NBC drew a 10.2 overnight rating last night for the Packers’ 23-16 win over the Giants on “SNF” up against the presidential debate, the lowest rating for the package since a 9.9 for Packers-Vikings in Week 8 of ’13. That game had head-to-head competition from Game 4 of the Red Sox-Cardinals World Series. Last night’s rating is also down 22% from a 13.1 overnight for the comparable 49ers-Giants Week 5 matchup last year on “SNF.” Giants-Packers peaked at a 12.1 rating between 8:30-9:00pm ET, before the debate began. Milwaukee led all local markets for the game with a 43.7 overnight, while N.Y. drew a 12.2 local rating. Meanwhile, CBS led all nets yesterday with a 13.1 overnight in the national window for Bengals-Cowboys in 80% of markets, down 20% from a 16.4 for Patriots-Cowboys in Week 5 last year. CBS did see the lone year-over-year increase of the day for its regional window (10.5 rating), up 15% over ’15. Fox earned a 10.9 overnight for its singleheader window, down 7% from an 11.7 in Week 5 last year. Afternoon NFL ratings also could have been hindered by the debate, as coverage on CNN, Fox News and MSNBC averaged a 3.0 rating between 1:00-7:45pm, a 233% increase over ‘15 ( Josh Carpenter, Assistant Editor ).

NOTES : * = Went up against the second presidential debate.

OUT OF DETENTION : In N.Y., Bob Raissman notes the NFL's TV partners yesterday treated Patriots QB Tom Brady "more like a conquering hero than a guy returning to work after being suspended four games for cheating." The only thing missing was a "rehash of the Deflategate story." Raissman: "The 'importance' of Brady's return, and the way it was covered, was comical" ( N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 10/10 ).