Seattle - Green Bay Thriller Averaged 49.8 Million Viewers, Down From Last Year's 55.9 Million for 49ers/Seahawks
By Jason McIntyre
Despite Seattle 28, Green Bay 22 being one of the most memorable NFC Championship games ever, it actually drew fewer viewers than the NFC Championship a year ago. Seattle’s triumph was the most-watched TV program since the last Super Bowl, pulling in an average of 49.8 million viewers. The 49ers and Seahawks played a thriller in 2014 – capped memorably by Richard Sherman’s outstanding defensive play, and then his fiery postgame interview with Erin Andrews – reeled in a staggering 55.9 million viewers.
The decline could be attributed to two factors: 1) For 55 minutes it was an ugly game, with Green Bay leading 19-7 thanks to five Seattle turnovers. Fans left the stadium, so it’s not insane to assume some may have turned the game off entirely. 2) It wasn’t a prime time game.
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Still, according to numbers released by Fox, 60.5 million people were watching as Seattle scored the game-winning touchdown in overtime; 60.3 million were tuned in to the final minute last year.
The local numbers in Seattle for Sunday’s game were astronomical: a 52.3 rating and an 86 share (percentage of all TVs in use at the time were watching the game).
New England and Indianapolis, which was never competitive, drew 42.1 million viewers, which was down from last year’s 51.3 who watched Peyton Manning top Tom Brady in the early game.
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