Chargers-Steelers (and the rest of the NFL) get big ratings

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The AFC divisional playoff game between the Chargers and Steelers was the most-watched television show of the week (Jan. 5-11) drawing 34.1 million viewers to CBS, according to Nielsen Media Research. And, according to Nielsen, the game broadcast beat out mostly new stuff, not reruns of Charlie Brown’s Christmas and holiday cooking shows.

No. 2 was the Fox NFC divisional playoff game between the Eagles and Giants, with 31.4 million viewers. No. 3 was the Fox BCS Championship football game between Florida and Oklahoma and No. 4 was the AFC divisional playoff game on CBS between Baltimore and Nashville; No. 5 was the Fox NFC divisional playoff game between the Cardinals and Panthers with 23.8 million viewers.

‘The Mentalist’ (CBS) broke the NFL string at No. 6, with 19.6 million viewers. The No. 7 show was ‘NCIS’, and good, old ’60 Minutes’ was No. 10. CBS had the only non-NFL programming in the week’s top 10.

What was No. 8? Why that would be the Fiesta Bowl broadcast with Texas and Ohio State on Fox.

(The Chargers also played well in Los Angeles. Channel 2 had a 19.7 rating with a 42 share, making it the top-rated show of the week.)

ABC and NBC apparently had programming last week. We’ll take their word on that.

-- Diane Pucin

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