With little in the way of competition from the competing networks, NBC took an easy overall win Sunday night, according to preliminary numbers.
While the nature of live sports renders NBC's numbers approximate, as it currently stands the network holds a decisive first place in the advertiser-cherished 18-49 demographic with a 6.5 rating/17 share, and in total viewers with 15.7 million. Following three consecutive airings of "Football Night in America" from 7 p.m. to 8:30 — which posted a 3.0/9, 4.8/14 and 6.5/17, respectively — the network aired the "Sunday Night Football" matchup between the Detroit Lions and San Francisco 49ers. Though down from last week's record-setting "Sunday Night Football" premiere, which posted a 9.8/25 in preliminary numbers, the game was still far and away the best-rated program of the night with a 7.5/19. The game drew 18 million total viewers, which took a close second to NFL overrun on CBS.
CBS, which kicked off its first 7:30 Sunday primetime start following a late-running football game, came in second in ratings and total viewers with a 2.5/7 and 9 million. The aforementioned NFL overrun, which ran until approximately 7:37 p.m., drew a 6.3/19 in the demo and received 18.7 million total viewers. "60 Minutes" followed, posting a 3.2/9 and attracting 12.8 million total viewers. "Big Brother" at 8:30 grabbed a 2.3/6 and took in 7.6 million total viewers. The network aired repeats for the remainder of the night.
Fox took third place in ratings and total viewers with a 2.0/5 and 4.5 million. With the exception of NFL overrun at 7, which received a 2.4/7 and 6.2 million total viewers, the network ran repeats.
Univision came in fourth in ratings and fifth in total viewers with a 1.0/3 and 2.6 million.
ABC, which ran repeats, took fifth place in ratings and fourth in total viewers with a 0.7/2 and 3.5 million.
