Ratings: Peyton Manning’s Denver Broncos Victory Delivers ‘Thursday Night Football’ Domination

CBS breaks own households record in NFL season debut

Peyton Manning

CBS is sure happy that this “Thursday Night Football” thing is back. Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos topped division rivals the Kansas City Chiefs last night, handing CBS a dominant overall victory as well.

In metered market households, “TNF” broke its own record with this season’s debut. The fast national numbers are not timezone-adjusted, and thus subject to change.

NBC finished in a distant second on the night with a pair of specials.

CBS was first in ratings with a 5.0 rating/17 share in the advertiser-coveted 18-49 demographic and in total viewers with an average of 15.2 million, according to preliminary numbers. The pregame show at 8 p.m. ET earned a 3.3/13 and 11.3 million viewers. At 8:30, the game itself scored a 5.3/18 and 16 million viewers.

NBC was second in ratings with a 1.1/4 and in viewers with 5.2 million. “Jeff Dunham: Unhinged in Hollywood” at 8 p.m. had a 1.2/5 and 6.4 million viewers. “Mat Franco’s Got Magic” at 9 got a 1.1/4 and 4.7 million viewers.

Univision and Telemundo tied for third in ratings, both with a 0.7. Univision had a 3 share, Telemundo had a 2. Univision was fourth in total viewers with 2.2 million, Telemundo was fifth with 1.7 million.

ABC was fifth in ratings with a 0.6/2, but third in viewers with 2.9 million, airing just reruns.

Fox was sixth in ratings with a 0.5/2 and in viewers with 1.4 million, running only a movie.

The CW was seventh in ratings with a 0.3/1 and in viewers with 1 million, airing repeats.

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