Ratings: ‘Sunday Night Football’ (and Everything Else) Tramples ‘A Christmas Story Live’
Pretty much everyone and their mother (who should have warned them first) can safely say Fox’s “A Christmas Story Live” shot its eye out last night. Well, in the ratings at least.
The televised musical event was no match for “Sunday Night Football” or pretty much anything else on the Big 4, including all of CBS’ broadcast shows and ABC’s “Sound of Music” telecast (not that live NBC one with Carrie Underwood, the classic starring Julie Andrews).
The earlier-available overnight ratings for “A Christmas Story Live” from the 56 markets metered by Nielsen are pretty dismal — and generally considered more accurate for live telecasts than the fast nationals. Final viewership numbers for “A Christmas Story” are expected later this afternoon.
Also Read: 'A Christmas Story Live' Delivers Lump of Coal to Fox in Early TV Ratings
NBC was first in ratings with a 4.4 rating/16 share in the advertiser-coveted 18-49 demographic and in total viewers with an average of 14.2 million, according to preliminary numbers. The Dallas Cowboys vs. Oakland Raiders game from 8:30 – 11:45 p.m. pulled in those large numbers for the network.
CBS was second in ratings with a 2.1/8 and in viewers with 11.6 million. At 7, the end of the New England Patriots vs. Pittsburgh Steelers game and the first half of “60 Minutes” posted a 5.2/19 and 22.6 million viewers. At 8, the back half of “60 Minutes” and the beginning of “Wisdom of the Crowd” took a 1.7/6 and 10.5 million viewers. At 9, the end of “Wisdom of the Crowd” and the begging of “NCIS: LA” snagged a 0.9/3 and 6.8 million viewers. At 10, the close of “NCIS: LA” and the start of “Madam Secretary” managed a 0.8/3 and 6.5 million viewers.
Fox was third in ratings with a 1.5/5 and fourth in viewers with 4.48 million, with “A Christmas Story Live” being the only program broadcast on the network during primetime, from 7 – 10 p.m.
Also Read: Ratings: 'Olaf's Frozen Adventure' Comes in Hot for ABC
ABC was fourth in ratings with a 0.8/3 and in viewers with 4.54 million. A showing of the 1965 classic “The Sound of Music” (telecast at the same time as Fox’s live musical) picked up those numbers.
Telemundo was fifth in ratings with a 0.4/1 and in viewers with 964,000.
Univision was sixth in ratings with a 0.3/1 and in viewers with 951,000.
Also Read: CMT's 53 Straight Weeks of TV Ratings Growth Tops All Ad-Supported Cable
The CW does not nationally program Sunday nights.
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