Tree Lighting Beats Out NFL Atop Weekly Ratings

The NFL grabbed two positions in the weekly prime time Top 5. However, not the top spot.

The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting was number one in New York with 1.7 million WNBC viewers and a 8.7 share, according to the Nielsen Company.

As for football, it performed well, minus the locals in action. At number two, the Fox afternoon game pitting Dallas against Indianapolis (won by the Cowboys in OT) had 1.2 million on WNYW and a 6.1. Fox’s additional 15 minutes of coverage (mostly of the Atlanta vs. Tampa Bay matchup) notched sixth place (1 million/5.2).

On WNBC, Sunday Night Football had big numbers (1.1 million/5.8) as the Steelers edge the Ravens on the road.

One other sports note from the week, Lebron James’ return to Cleveland on December 2 was 23rd for the TNT pre-game. Ironically, the game didn’t crack the Top 30. (No surprise, it was number one in the Miami and Cleveland markets.)

Rounding out the Top 10

• 60 Minutes               WCBS  (tied for third/1.1 million/5.8)
• Glee                               WNYW (fifth/1 million/5.4)
• Desperate Housewives   WABC (seventh/1 million/5.1)
• NCIS                             WCBS   (eighth/1 million/5.0)
• Undercover Boss  WCBS  (ninth/930,000/4.6)
• Amazing Race        WCBS  (10th/902,000/4.5)

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