David Morgan-Mar called me a “webcomics reviewer” this weekend. While webcomics reviews are what I do with my “webcomics” tag, I don’t prefer to brand myself with that brush, and I don’t want to go down the path of an Eric Burns(-White) of becoming primarily known for webcomics while wanting to branch into more fields. So with that in mind, allow me to prove just how wrong Morgan-Mar really is!
Last year – well, really late two years ago – Sports Media Watch had what was, to me, one of the most useful posts of the year, including lists of the top-rated games on cable, the top-rated non-NFL games on cable, and every verifiable sports rating over 5.0.
Sadly, SMW did no such thing this year – especially sad considering the addition of the Olympics to the rating comparison – so I’m going to do so myself. And I’m going to do one better and include every rating over 3.0, and some over 2.0, to ever be recorded by SMW (and some other sources) over the course of the year, AND color-code it for ease of readability. (In so doing I may be risking Nielsen getting all up in my ass about it and needing to downsize this post in the future, based on their behavior with certain others.) I think it’ll be interesting to see the trends. Get ready for a lot of scrolling! Let’s see if I can force a jump and save you people reading Da Blog proper (who could probably care less) some trouble…
Each row is colored as follows: Blue=NFL; Yellow=Olympics; Cyan=College football; Purple=Baseball; Red=NBA; Orange=College basketball; Green=Golf; Brown with (hopefully) white text=NASCAR. All other sports are white. Names of events in bold italics are championships, just plain bold events are part of championship tournaments (BCS bowls for college football). Olympics events are marked in bold italics if and only if they involve Michael Phelps. Other Olympics primetime coverage is in bold. The Daytona 500 is in bold italics and Chase races are in bold. Networks in bold are cable networks. Cable ratings are national ratings unless SMW doesn’t have those.
NFL complete except one preseason game and Thanksgiving games on FOX and CBS. Also, singleheaders and Game 1 of doubleheaders are available only for Weeks 2, 3, and 9. Studio show ratings are included if they are over 2.5 and came from Weeks 1-3. The OT ratings are only available for Week 1, and the Fox and CBS pregame shows are only available for Weeks 2 and 3. College football complete except games not on broadcast or ESPN (all games not on broadcast or ESPN assumed to be too small for this chart, all games on Versus known to be), and some bowls. Also, based on this, I suspect SMW’s numbers for this year’s bowl ratings are inaccurate. Last year’s Orange Bowl and non-BCS bowl ratings courtesy BCSfootball.org.
Olympics reflect NBC primetime coverage only (non-NBC coverage is assumed to be too small for this chart), plus Team USA’s basketball game against China to start the basketball tournament, and should be taken with a grain of salt as ratings could be chopped up any way NBC wants. Also, trials do not include MSNBC numbers (but they are assumed to be too small for this chart) or any events after July 6. Baseball complete except for ESPN games after July 6; all listed regular season games aired on Fox or ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball. (Exceptions to no-ESPN-games-after-July-6: the last game at Yankee Stadium, and Yankees/Red Sox on 7/27. The 7/12 Fox telecast is not considered.) However, with the exception of TBS’ coverage of the last game at Shea Stadium, all other baseball coverage slots (Monday Night, Wednesday Night, and TBS Sunday) are assumed to be too small for this chart.
NBA includes no NBA TV games (but they are assumed to be too small for this chart), or regular season cable games. NASCAR complete but no Busch Nationwide series ratings, with a couple of exceptions. All non-NFL, non-Olympic ratings over 9.2 through SEC championship game complete. Golf ratings include final round ratings only, and only select third-round ratings, but any final round ratings not on this chart are assumed to be, or actually are, too small for it. College basketball ratings, and ratings for sports not color-coded (except for the finals of tennis’ US Open), are very incomplete, but this season’s college basketball ratings are assumed to be too small for this chart. For example, the NHL Stanley Cup Finals only covers the games on NBC. Sweet Sixteen ratings courtesy TVByTheNumbers; I have one rating representing all of the first two rounds of the NCAA Tournament. Soccer numbers may be underrepresented because of a lack of data on Spanish-language stations.
Rat | Event | Date/Time | Channel |
43.1 | Super Bowl XLII Giants v. Patriots |
2/3, 6:30 PM ET | FOX |
29.0 | NFC Championship Game Giants @ Packers |
1/20, 6:15 PM ET | FOX |
25.7 | AFC Championship Game Chargers @ Patriots |
1/20, 3 PM ET | CBS |
23.6 | NFL Divisional Game Giants @ Cowboys |
1/13, 4:30 PM ET | CBS |
20.2 | NFL Divisional Game Chargers @ Colts |
1/13, 1 PM ET | FOX |
19.9 | Beijing 2008 Olympic Games: Night 5 |
8/12, 8 PM ET | NBC |
18.8 | Beijing 2008 Olympic Games: Opening Ceremony |
8/8, 8 PM ET | NBC |
18.1 | Beijing 2008 Olympic Games: Night 3 |
8/10, 7 PM ET | NBC |
17.9 | NFL Divisional Game Jaguars @ Patriots |
1/12, 8 PM ET | CBS |
17.9 | Beijing 2008 Olympic Games: Night 7 |
8/14, 8 PM ET | NBC |
17.8 | Beijing 2008 Olympic Games: Night 9 |
8/16, 8:30 PM ET | NBC |
17.6 | Beijing 2008 Olympic Games: Night 4 |
8/11, 8 PM ET | NBC |
17.0 | NFL Divisional Game Seahawks @ Packers |
1/12, 4:30 PM ET | FOX |
16.7 | NFL Wild Card Game Titans @ Chargers |
1/6, 4:30 PM ET | CBS |
16.7 | Beijing 2008 Olympic Games: Night 6 |
8/13, 8 PM ET | NBC |
16.3 | Beijing 2008 Olympic Games: Night 12 |
8/19, 8 PM ET | NBC |
16.0 | Beijing 2008 Olympic Games: Night 10 |
8/17, 7:30 PM ET | NBC |
15.8 | Beijing 2008 Olympic Games: Night 11 |
8/18, 8 PM ET | NBC |
15.6 | NFL: Mostly Cowboys @ Steelers | 12/7, 4:15 PM ET | FOX |
15.5 | Beijing 2008 Olympic Games: Closing Ceremony |
8/24, 8 PM ET | NBC |
15.4 | Beijing 2008 Olympic Games: Night 8 |
8/15, 8 PM ET | NBC |
15.4 | NFL: regional (NE/PIT or NYJ/DEN) | 11/30, 4:15 PM ET | CBS |
15.3 | NFL: Mostly Patriots @ Jets | 9/14, 4:15 PM ET | CBS |
15.2 | Beijing 2008 Olympic Games: Night 13 |
8/20, 8 PM ET | NBC |
15.1 | NFL Wild Card Game Giants @ Buccaneers |
1/6, 1 PM ET | FOX |
15.0 | NFL Wild Card Game Jaguars @ Steelers |
1/5, 8 PM ET | NBC |
14.7 | NFL: Mostly Cowboys @ Cardinals | 10/12, 4:15 PM ET | FOX |
14.7 | NFL: Mostly Ravens @ Steelers | 12/14, 4:15 PM ET | CBS |
14.5 | NFL: Mostly Giants @ Cardinals | 11/23, 4:15 PM ET | FOX |
14.4 | BCS National Championship Game: LSU v. Ohio State |
1/8, 8 PM ET | FOX |
14.3 | NFL: Mostly Cowboys @ Giants | 11/2, 4:15 PM ET | FOX |
14.2 | NFL: Mostly Colts @ Packers | 10/19, 4:15 PM ET | CBS |
14.0 | NFL Wild Card Game Redskins @ Seahawks |
1/5, 4:30 PM ET | NBC |
13.9 | Beijing 2008 Olympic Games: Night 1 |
8/9, 8:30 PM ET | NBC |
13.8 | Beijing 2008 Olympic Games: Night 14 |
8/21, 8 PM ET | NBC |
13.8 | NFL: Mostly Giants @ Steelers | 10/26, 4:15 PM ET | FOX |
13.7 | Sunday Night Football Giants @ Cowboys |
12/14, 8:15 PM ET | NBC |
13.6 | NFL: Mostly Colts @ Steelers | 11/9, 4:15 PM ET | CBS |
13.3 | Sunday Night Football Cowboys @ Packers |
9/21, 8:15 PM ET | NBC |
13.0 | NFL: Mostly Cowboys @ Browns | 9/7, 4:15 PM ET | FOX |
13.0 | NFL: Mostly Redskins @ Cowboys | 9/28, 4:15 PM ET | FOX |
12.6 | NFL: Mostly Bengals @ Cowboys | 10/5, 4:15 PM ET | CBS |
12.4 | NFL: Mostly Cowboys @ Eagles | 12/28, 4:15 PM ET | FOX |
12.1 | MCBB Nat’l Championship Game: Kansas v. Memphis |
4/7, 9 PM ET | CBS |
12.1 | NFL: Mostly Chargers @ Steelers | 11/16, 4:15 PM ET | CBS |
12.0 | NFL: Mostly Steelers @ Eagles | 9/21, 4:15 PM ET | CBS |
11.9 | World Series Phillies @ Rays Game 5 finish |
10/29, 8:40 PM ET | FOX |
11.8 | NFL: Mostly Falcons @ Vikings | 12/21, 4:15 PM ET | FOX |
11.6 | Sunday Night Football Cowboys @ Redskins |
11/16, 8:15 PM ET | NBC |
11.5 | Sunday Night Football Panthers @ Giants |
12/21, 8:15 PM ET | NBC |
11.3 | Monday Night Football: Eagles @ Cowboys |
9/15, 8:30 PM ET | ESPN |
11.2 | Sunday Night Football Bears @ Colts |
9/7, 8:15 PM ET | NBC |
11.1 | Rose Bowl Illinois v. USC |
1/1, 5 PM ET | ABC |
11.0 | Sunday Night Football Giants @ Eagles |
11/9, 8:15 PM ET | NBC |
10.8 | Super Bowl XLII Pregame Show | 2/3 | FOX |
10.8 | Sunday Night Football Steelers @ Browns |
9/14, 8:15 PM ET | NBC |
10.8 | Sunday Night Football Eagles @ Bears |
9/28, 8:15 PM ET | NBC |
10.7 | NBA Finals Lakers @ Celtics Game 6 |
6/17, 9 PM ET | ABC |
10.7 | Beijing 2008 Olympic Games: Night 15 |
8/22, 8:30 PM ET | NBC |
10.6 | Sunday Night Football Patriots @ Colts |
11/2, 8:15 PM ET | NBC |
10.3 | Beijing 2008 Olympic Games: Night 16 |
8/23, 9 PM ET | NBC |
10.2 | NASCAR: Daytona 500 | 2/17, 3:30 PM ET | FOX |
10.2 | NBA Finals Lakers @ Celtics Game 5 |
6/15, 9 PM ET | ABC |
9.6 | (World Series Phillies @ Rays Game 5 – total) |
FOX | |
9.6 | Sunday Night Football Bears @ Vikings |
11/30, 8:15 PM ET | NBC |
9.5 | NFL: Regional | 9/14 | FOX |
9.5 | Sunday Night Football Colts @ Chargers |
11/23, 8:15 PM ET | NBC |
9.3 | MLB All Star Game Innings 1-9 | 7/15, 8 PM ET | FOX |
9.3 | World Series Phillies @ Rays Game 4 |
10/26, 8:30 PM ET | FOX |
9.3 | SEC Championship: Florida v. Alabama |
12/6, 4 PM ET | CBS |
9.2 | NBA Finals Celtics @ Lakers Game 3 |
6/10, 9 PM ET | ABC |
9.2 | World Series Phillies @ Rays Game 1 |
10/22, 8:30 PM ET | FOX |
9.1 | Capitol One Bowl Michigan v. Florida |
1/1 | ABC |
9.0 | Belmont Stakes (Triple Crown at stake) |
6/7, 6:15 PM | ABC |
9.0 | Sunday Night Football Broncos @ Chargers |
12/28, 8:15 PM ET | NBC |
8.9 | Kentucky Derby | NBC | |
8.8 | MCBB Final Four: North Carolina v. Kansas |
3/30, 5 PM ET | CBS |
8.8 | Sunday Night Football Steelers @ Jaguars |
10/5, 8:15 PM ET | NBC |
8.7 | MCBB Elite Eight: Davidson v. Kansas |
3/30, 5 PM ET | CBS |
8.7 | NBA Finals Lakers @ Celtics Game 1 |
6/5, 9 PM ET | ABC |
8.7 | NBA Finals Celtics @ Lakers Game 4 |
6/12, 9 PM ET | ABC |
8.7 | NFL: Regional | 9/21 | FOX |
8.7 | Monday Night Football: Steelers @ Redskins |
11/3, 8:30 PM ET | ESPN |
8.6 | The Masters: Final Round | 4/13, 2:30 PM ET | CBS |
8.6 | NFL: Redskins @ Giants | 9/4, 7 PM ET | NBC |
8.6 | NFL: Regional | 11/2, 1 PM ET | FOX |
8.5 | NBA Finals Lakers @ Celtics Game 2 |
6/6, 9 PM ET | ABC |
8.4 | Monday Night Football: Packers @ Bears |
12/22, 8:30 PM ET | ESPN |
8.2 | Sunday Night Football Patriots @ Chargers |
10/12, 8:15 PM ET | NBC |
8.2 | World Series Phillies @ Rays Game 5 |
10/27, 8:30 PM ET | FOX |
8.1 | NFL: Regional | 9/21, 1 PM ET | CBS |
8.1 | World Series Phillies @ Rays Game 2 |
10/23, 8:30 PM ET | FOX |
8.1 | Sunday Night Football Redskins @ Ravens |
12/7, 8:15 PM ET | NBC |
8.0 | NFL: Regional | 9/14, 1 PM ET | CBS |
8.0 | NFL: Regional | 11/2 | CBS |
7.9 | Monday Night Football: Vikings @ Packers |
9/8, 7 PM ET | ESPN |
7.9 | ALCS: Rays @ Red Sox, Game 7 | 10/19, 8 PM ET | TBS |
7.7 | Fiesta Bowl West Virginia v. Oklahoma |
1/2, 8 PM ET | FOX |
7.7 | Beijing 2008 Olympic Games Men’s basketball: USA v. China |
8/10 | NBC |
7.7 | NFL: Mostly Jets @ Dolphins | 12/28, 4:15 PM ET | CBS |
7.6 | Monday Night Football: 49ers @ Cardinals |
11/10, 8:30 PM ET | ESPN |
7.5 | US Open: Final Round | 6/15, 3 PM ET | NBC |
7.5 | MLB All Star Game Innings 10-15 | 7/15 | FOX |
7.5 | Monday Night Football: Jets @ Chargers |
9/22, 8:30 PM ET | ESPN |
7.5 | Monday Night Football: Ravens @ Steelers |
9/29, 8:30 PM ET | ESPN |
7.5 | Saturday Night Football: Texas @ Texas Tech |
11/1, 8 PM ET | ABC |
7.5 | Monday Night Football: Browns @ Bills |
11/17, 8:30 PM ET | ESPN |
7.4 | Orange Bowl Kansas v. Virginia Tech |
1/3, 8 PM ET | FOX |
7.4 | Monday Night Football: Packers @ Saints |
11/24, 8:30 PM ET | ESPN |
7.4 | Monday Night Football: Buccaneers @ Panthers |
12/8, 8:30 PM ET | ESPN |
7.3 | Monday Night Football: Colts @ Titans |
10/27, 8:30 PM ET | ESPN |
7.2 | MCBB Final Four: UCLA v. Memphis |
4/5, 6 PM ET | CBS |
7.2 | Monday Night Football: Giants @ Browns |
10/13, 8:30 PM ET | ESPN |
7.1 | NASCAR: UAW-Dodge 400 | 3/2, 4:30 PM ET | FOX |
7.1 | Monday Night Football: Vikings @ Saints |
10/6, 8:30 PM ET | ESPN |
7.0 | Sugar Bowl Georgia v. Hawaii |
1/1, 8:30 PM ET | FOX |
7.0 | Saturday Night Football: Ohio State @ USC |
9/13, 8 PM ET | ABC |
7.0 | Monday Night Football: Broncos @ Patriots |
10/20, 8:30 PM ET | ESPN |
6.7 | US Open: Playoff: Woods v. Mediate (Part II) (may be combined rating) |
6/16, 2 PM ET | NBC |
6.6 | Saturday Night Football: Texas Tech @ Oklahoma |
11/22, 8 PM ET | ABC |
6.5 | MCBB Elite Eight: Louisville v. North Carolina |
3/29, 9 PM ET | CBS |
6.4 | NASCAR: Kobalt Tools 500 | 3/9, 2 PM ET | FOX |
6.4 | Saturday Night Football: Penn State @ Ohio State |
10/25, 8 PM ET | ABC |
6.3 | NFL: Pro Bowl | 2/10, 4:30 PM ET | FOX |
6.3 | Sunday Night Football Seahawks @ Buccaneers |
10/19, 8:15 PM ET | NBC |
6.3 | BCS Selection Show | 12/7, 8 PM ET | FOX |
6.2 | NASCAR: Auto Club 500 | 2/24, 3:30 PM ET | FOX |
6.2 | Monday Night Football: Broncos @ Raiders |
9/8, 10:15 PM ET | ESPN |
6.1 | World Series Phillies @ Rays Game 3 |
10/25, 10 PM ET | FOX |
5.9 | MCBB Sweet Sixteen | 3/27, 7 PM ET | CBS |
5.9 | Monday Night Football: Jaguars @ Texans |
12/1, 8:30 PM ET | ESPN |
5.8 | The OT Week 1 | 9/7, 7 PM ET | FOX |
5.7 | NASCAR: Aaron’s 499 | 4/27, 2:20 PM ET | FOX |
5.7 | NBA Playoffs Conference Semis Cavaliers @ Celtics Game 7 |
5/18, 3:30 PM ET | ABC |
5.7 | Saturday Night Football: Oklahoma @ Oklahoma State |
11/29, 8 PM ET | ABC |
5.6 | The Masters: Third Round | 4/12, 3:30 PM ET | CBS |
5.6 | NLCS: Phillies @ Dodgers Game 3 | 10/12, 8 PM ET | FOX |
5.5 | NASCAR: Food City 500 | 3/16, 2 PM ET | FOX |
5.5 | MCBB Sweet Sixteen | 3/27, 9:30 PM ET | CBS |
5.5 | MCBB Sweet Sixteen | 3/28, 7 PM ET | CBS |
5.5 | Preakness Stakes | 5/17, 4:30 PM ET | NBC |
5.5 | Home Run Derby | 7/14, 8 PM ET | ESPN |
5.5 | Football Night in America Week 3 | 9/21, 7 PM ET | NBC |
5.5 | Big 12 Championship: Oklahoma v. Missouri |
12/6, 8 PM ET | ABC |
5.4 | NASCAR: Samsung 500 | 4/6, 2:20 PM ET | FOX |
5.4 | College Football: Texas v. Oklahoma | 10/11, 12 PM ET | ABC |
5.4 | ALCS: Red Sox @ Rays Game 6 | 10/18, 8:30 PM ET | TBS |
5.3 | NASCAR: Goody’s Cool Orange 500 | 3/30, 2 PM ET | FOX |
5.3 | Saturday Night Football: regional | 11/8, 8 PM ET | ABC |
5.3 | NBA: Celtics @ Lakers | 12/25, 5 PM ET | ABC |
5.2 | MCBB Elite Eight: Xavier v. UCLA | 3/29, 6:30 PM ET | CBS |
5.1 | MCBB Elite Eight: Texas v. Memphis | 3/30, 2:30 PM ET | CBS |
5.1 | NASCAR: Budweiser Shootout | 2/9, 8:30 PM ET | FOX |
5.1 | NLCS: Dodgers @ Phillies Game 1 | 10/9, 8 PM ET | FOX |
5.1 | NLCS: Phillies @ Dodgers Game 5 | 10/15, 8 PM ET | FOX |
5.1 | College Football: regional | 10/25, 3:30 PM ET | ABC |
5.1 | College Football: Alabama @ LSU | 11/8, 3:30 PM ET | CBS |
5.0 | MCBB Sweet Sixteen | 3/28, 9:30 PM ET | CBS |
5.0 | NLCS: Phillies @ Dodgers Game 4 | 10/13, 8 PM ET | FOX |
4.8 | MCBB March Madness Avg. Ratings for First Two Rounds |
CBS | |
4.8 | NASCAR: Dodge Challenger 500 | 5/10, 7:40 PM ET | FOX |
4.8 | NBA Western Conference Finals: Lakers @ Spurs Game 4 |
5/27, 9 PM ET | TNT |
4.7 | NASCAR: Coca-Cola 600 | 5/25, 5:50 PM ET | FOX |
4.7 | NFL Hall of Fame Game Redskins v. Colts |
8/3, 8 PM ET | NBC |
4.7 | ALCS: Rays @ Red Sox Game 5 | 10/16, 8 PM ET | TBS |
4.6 | IRL: Indianapolis 500 | 5/25, 1 PM ET | ABC |
4.6 | NBA Western Conference Finals Spurs @ Lakers Game 5 |
5/29, 9 PM ET | TNT |
4.6 | NASCAR: Amp Energy 500 | 10/5, 2 PM ET | ABC |
4.6 | College Football: regional | 10/11, 3:30 PM ET | ABC |
4.5 | NASCAR: Dan Lowry 400 | 5/3, 7:50 PM ET | FOX |
4.5 | NASCAR: Best Buy 400 | 6/1, 2:20 PM ET | FOX |
4.5 | Football Night in America Week 2 | 9/14, 7 PM ET | NBC |
4.5 | Champs Sports Bowl Florida State v. Wisconsin |
12/27, 4:30 PM ET | ESPN |
4.4 | NASCAR: Subway Fresh Fit 500 | 4/12, 9 PM ET | FOX |
4.4 | College Football: regional | 11/8, 3:30 PM ET | ABC |
4.4 | College Football: regional | 11/22, 3:30 PM ET | ABC |
4.3 | NBA Playoffs Conference Semis Spurs @ Hornets Game 7 |
5/19, 8:30 PM ET | TNT |
4.3 | NBA Eastern Conference Finals Pistons @ Celtics Game 5 |
5/28, 8:30 PM ET | ESPN |
4.3 | NASCAR: Allstate 400 at the Brickyard | 7/27, 2 PM ET | ESPN |
4.3 | College Football: Miami (FL) @ Florida | 9/6, 8 PM ET | ESPN |
4.3 | CFB: Michigan @ Ohio State | 11/22, 12 PM ET | ABC |
4.2 | Buick Invitational: Final Round | 1/27, 3 PM ET | CBS |
4.2 | NBA Eastern Conference Finals Celtics @ Pistons Game 6 |
5/30, 8:30 PM ET | ESPN |
4.2 | College Football: USC @ Oregon State | 9/25, 9 PM ET | ESPN |
4.2 | Saturday Night Football: regional | 10/4, 8 PM ET | ABC |
4.1 | NBA Playoffs Conference Semis Jazz @ Lakers Game 1 |
5/4, 3:30 PM ET | ABC |
4.1 | NBA Playoffs Conference Semis Lakers @ Jazz Game 4 |
5/11, 3:30 PM ET | ABC |
4.1 | NBA Western Conference Finals Spurs @ Lakers Game 1 |
5/21, 9 PM ET | TNT |
4.1 | College Football: Tennessee @ UCLA | 9/1, 8 PM ET | ESPN |
4.1 | ALCS: Red Sox @ Rays Game 1 | 10/10, 8:30 PM ET | TBS |
4.0 | MCBB Selection Show | 3/16, 6 PM ET | CBS |
4.0 | NBA Eastern Conference Finals Celtics @ Pistons Game 4 |
5/26, 8:30 PM ET | ESPN |
4.0 | Stanley Cup Finals: Red Wings @ Penguins Game 6 |
6/4, 8 PM ET | NBC |
4.0 | US Olympic Trials: Swimming | 7/6, 8 PM ET | NBC |
4.0 | NASCAR: Ford 400 | 11/16, 3:30 PM ET | ABC |
4.0 | Emerald Bowl Miami (FL) v. California |
12/27, 8 PM ET | ESPN |
3.9 | NBA Eastern Conference Finals Pistons @ Celtics Game 2 |
5/22, 8:30 PM ET | ESPN |
3.9 | NASCAR: Pocono 500 | 6/8, 2 PM ET | TNT |
3.9 | US Olympic Trials Women’s Gymnastics |
6/22, 7 PM ET | NBC |
3.9 | College Football: Alabama @ Georgia | 9/27, 8 PM ET | ESPN |
3.9 | ALDS: Angels @ Red Sox Game 3 | 10/5, 7:50 PM ET | TBS |
3.9 | Meineke Car Care Bowl West Virginia v. North Carolina |
12/27, 1 PM ET | ESPN |
3.9 | Alamo Bowl Missouri v. Northwestern |
12/29, 8 PM ET | ESPN |
3.9 | Holiday Bowl Oklahoma State v. Oregon |
12/30, 8 PM ET | ESPN |
3.8 | NBA All-Star Game | 2/17, 8:30 PM ET | TNT |
3.8 | Stanley Cup Finals: Penguins @ Red Wings Game 5 |
6/2, 8 PM ET | NBC |
3.8 | NASCAR: Coke Zero 400 | 7/5, 8 PM ET | TNT |
3.8 | NASCAR: Pennsylvania 500 | 8/3, 2 PM ET | ESPN |
3.8 | NASCAR: Sylvania 300 | 9/14, 2 PM ET | ABC |
3.8 | College Football: LSU @ Florida | 10/11, 3:30 PM ET | CBS |
3.8 | NASCAR: Bank of America 500 | 10/11, 7:30 PM ET | ABC |
3.8 | ALCS: Red Sox @ Rays Game 2 | 10/11, 8 PM ET | TBS |
3.8 | ALCS: Rays @ Red Sox Game 4 | 10/14, 8 PM ET | TBS |
3.8 | College Football: regional | 10/18, 3:30 PM ET | ABC |
3.8 | College Football: Georgia v. Florida | 11/1, 3:30 PM ET | CBS |
3.7 | NBA Eastern Conference Finals Pistons @ Celtics Game 1 |
5/20, 8:30 PM ET | ESPN |
3.7 | NBA Western Conference Finals Spurs @ Lakers Game 2 |
5/23, 9 PM ET | TNT |
3.7 | NBA Eastern Conference Finals Celtics @ Pistons Game 3 |
5/24, 8:30 PM ET | ABC |
3.7 | NBA Western Conference Finals Lakers @ Spurs Game 3 |
5/25, 8:30 PM ET | TNT |
3.7 | NASCAR: Toyota/SaveMart 350 | 6/22, 5 PM ET | TNT |
3.7 | College Football: regional | 11/1, 3:30 PM ET | ABC |
3.7 | NASCAR: Dickies 500 | 11/2, 3:30 PM ET | ABC |
3.6 | NBA Playoffs Conference Semis Cavaliers @ Celtics Game 5 |
5/14, 8 PM ET | TNT |
3.6 | NBA Playoffs Conference Semis Jazz @ Lakers Game 5 |
5/14, 10:30 PM ET | TNT |
3.6 | US Open: Playoff: Woods v. Mediate (Part I) |
6/16, 12 PM ET | ESPN |
3.6 | Saturday Night Football: regional | 8/30, 8 PM ET | ABC |
3.6 | Saturday Night Football: regional | 9/27, 8 PM ET | ABC |
3.6 | ALDS: Angels @ Red Sox Game 4 | 10/6, 8:30 PM ET | TBS |
3.6 | NASCAR: Pep Boys Auto 500 | 10/26, 2 PM ET | ABC |
3.6 | NASCAR: Checker O’Reilly 500 | 11/9, 3:30 PM ET | ABC |
3.5 | Cotton Bowl Missouri v. Arkansas |
1/1, 11:30 AM ET | FOX |
3.5 | NBA Playoffs First Round Nuggets @ Lakers Game 1 |
4/20, 3 PM ET | ABC |
3.5 | NBA Playoffs First Round Spurs @ Suns Game 4 |
4/27, 3:30 PM ET | ABC |
3.5 | NBA Playoffs First Round Hawks @ Celtics Game 5 |
5/4, 1 PM ET | ABC |
3.5 | NBA Playoffs Conference Semis Cavaliers @ Celtics Game 1 |
5/6, 8 PM ET | TNT |
3.5 | Wimbledon: Men’s Singles Final Federer v. Nadal |
7/6, 9 AM ET | NBC |
3.5 | CFB: Michigan @ Notre Dame | 9/13, 3:30 PM ET | NBC |
3.5 | College Football: LSU @ Auburn | 9/20, 7:45 PM ET | ESPN |
3.5 | NASCAR: Camping World RV 400 | 9/28, 2 PM ET | ABC |
3.5 | NLDS: Dodgers @ Cubs Game 1 | 10/1, 6:30 PM ET | TBS |
3.4 | MCBB: North Carolina @ Duke | 3/11, 9 PM ET | ESPN |
3.4 | NFL Draft | 4/26-27? | ESPN |
3.4 | NBA Playoffs Conference Semis Hornets @ Spurs Game 3 |
5/8, 9:30 PM ET | ESPN |
3.4 | NASCAR: Lenox Industrial Tools 301 | 6/29, 2 PM ET | TNT |
3.4 | US Olympic Trials Track and Field/Swimming |
6/29, 7 PM ET | NBC |
3.4 | US Olympic Trials: Track and Field | 7/6, 7 PM ET | NBC |
3.4 | NLCS: Dodgers @ Phillies Game 2 | 10/10, 4:30 PM ET | FOX |
3.4 | NFL: Ravens @ Cowboys | 12/20, 8 PM ET | NFL Net |
3.4 | Chick-fil-A Bowl LSU v. Georgia Tech |
12/31, 7:30 PM ET | ESPN |
3.3 | Outback Bowl Tennessee v. Wisconsin |
1/1, 11 AM ET | ESPN |
3.3 | US Figure Skating Championships Women’s Final |
1/26, 8 PM ET | NBC |
3.3 | NBA Playoffs Conference Semis Celtics @ Cavaliers Game 4 |
5/12, 8 PM ET | TNT |
3.3 | NBA Playoffs Conference Semis Celtics @ Cavaliers Game 6 |
5/16, 8 PM ET | ESPN |
3.3 | NASCAR: LifeLock 400 | 6/15, 2 PM ET | TNT |
3.3 | British Open: Final Round | 7/20, 8 AM ET | ABC |
3.3 | NASCAR: 3M Performance 400 | 8/17, 2 PM ET | ESPN |
3.3 | NASCAR: Pepsi 500 | 8/31, 8 PM ET | ESPN |
3.3 | Football Night in America Week 1 | 9/7, 7 PM ET | NBC |
3.3 | US Open: Women’s Singles Final S. Williams v. Jankovic |
9/7, 9 PM ET | CBS |
3.3 | College Football: regional | 9/20, 3:30 PM ET | ABC |
3.3 | NASCAR: Camping World RV 400 | 9/21, 2 PM ET | ABC |
3.3 | ALDS: Red Six @ Angels Game 2 | 10/3, 9:30 PM ET | TBS |
3.3 | NASCAR: Tums QuikPak 500 | 10/19, 1:30 PM ET | ABC |
3.3 | CFB: South Carolina @ Florida | 11/15, 3:30 PM ET | CBS |
3.2 | MCBB: Tennessee @ Memphis | 2/23, 8 PM ET | ESPN |
3.2 | NBA Playoffs First Round Suns @ Spurs Game 1 |
4/19, 3 PM ET | ABC |
3.2 | NBA Playoffs Conference Semis Celtics @ Cavaliers Game 3 |
5/10, 8 PM ET | ABC |
3.2 | NBA Playoffs Conference Semis Lakers @ Jazz Game 6 |
5/16, 10:30 PM ET | ESPN |
3.2 | NASCAR: LifeLock.com 400 | 7/12, 8 PM ET | TNT |
3.2 | NFL Preseason: Texans @ Cowboys | 8/22, 8 PM ET | CBS |
3.2 | NLDS: Cubs @ Dodgers Game 3 | 10/4, 10 PM ET | TBS |
3.2 | Poinsettia Bowl TCU v. Boise State |
12/23, 8 PM ET | ESPN |
3.2 | NBA: Spurs @ Suns | 12/25, 2:30 PM ET | ABC |
3.1 | NBA All-Star Saturday Night | 2/16, 8:30 PM ET | TNT |
3.1 | NBA Playoffs First Round Suns @ Spurs Game 5 |
4/29, 9:30 PM ET | TNT |
3.1 | The Players Championship Final Round |
5/11, 2 PM ET | NBC |
3.1 | NBA Playoffs Conference Semis Spurs @ Hornets Game 5 |
5/13, 9:30 PM ET | TNT |
3.1 | FOX NFL Sunday Week 2 | 9/14, 12 PM ET | FOX |
3.1 | SportsCenter (following Eagles @ Cowboys) |
9/15, 11 PM ET | ESPN |
3.1 | College Football: regional | 10/4, 3:30 PM ET | ABC |
3.1 | Saturday Night Football: Missouri @ Texas |
10/18, 8 PM ET | ABC |
3.1 | College Football: regional | 11/15, 3:30 PM ET | ABC |
3.0 | WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship |
NBC | |
3.0 | NBA: Mavericks @ Lakers | 3/2, 3:30 PM ET | ABC |
3.0 | WGC-CA Championship Final Round |
3/22, 3 PM ET | NBC |
3.0 | NBA Playoffs First Round Suns @ Spurs Game 2 |
4/22, 9:30 PM ET | TNT |
3.0 | NBA Playoffs Conference Semis Jazz @ Lakers Game 2 |
5/7, 10:30 PM ET | TNT |
3.0 | NBA Playoffs Conference Semis Hornets @ Spurs Game 6 |
5/15, 9 PM ET | ESPN |
3.0 | EliteXC Saturday Night Fights | 5/31, 9 PM ET | CBS |
3.0 | MLB: Regional Red Sox/Yankees or Cubs/Cardinals |
7/5, 3:30 PM ET | FOX |
3.0 | NASCAR: Centurion Boats at the Glen | 8/10, 2 PM ET | ESPN |
3.0 | NASCAR: Sharpie 500 | 8/23, 8 PM ET | ESPN |
3.0 | ALDS: Red Sox @ Angels Game 1 | 10/1, 10 PM ET | TBS |
3.0 | ALCS: Rays @ Red Sox Game 3 | 10/13, 4:30 PM ET | TBS |
3.0 | College Football: Georgia @ LSU | 10/25, 3:30 PM ET | CBS |
3.0 | College Football: Texas @ Texas A&M | 11/27, 8 PM ET | ESPN |
Below I’ve extended the ratings below 3.0 to as low as 2.0, although these ratings are more incomplete.