Friday, November 13, 2026

CBS Draws 50M Viewers For Epic NFL, CFB Slate

  • Bills-Chiefs was network’s most-watched Week 6 game in 15 years.
  • Alabama-Tennessee is the most-watched college football game this year.
Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Want more from Front Office Sports
in your search results?

Add Front Office Sports on Google

CBS Sports had a weekend to remember as it generated massive TV audiences for its pro and college football coverage

By luck of the schedule, CBS aired Alabama vs. Tennessee and Buffalo Bills vs. Kansas City Chiefs back-to-back on Saturday and Sunday. Between the two marquee games, and the network’s regional coverage of Baltimore Ravens vs. New York Giants on Sunday, CBS totaled a combined average viewership of 50.418 million viewers with 10.36 billion minutes consumed.

The Bills’ thrilling 24-20 win over the Chiefs was CBS’ most-watched Week 6 “NFL on CBS” telecast in 15 years. 

  • The late-afternoon telecast averaged 25.407 million viewers, up 7% over the comparable game window last year and 43% from the two teams’ primetime matchup last year.
  • With the Giants suddenly relevant again in the country’s largest TV market, the network’s regional coverage of the Giants’ 24-20 comeback win over the Ravens averaged 13.454 million viewers, up 7% from last year. 
  • CBS’ Week 2 broadcast of the Dallas Cowboys vs. Cincinnati Bengals (27.391M) remains the most-watched NFL game so far season-to-date.

Tennessee’s equally thrilling 52-49 win over Alabama was the most-watched college football game on any TV network season-to-date. 

  • The game averaged 11.557 million viewers, up 145% from last season and besting Texas-Alabama — the previous most-watched game this season (10.6M).
  • As the game reached its finish, Tennessee-Alabama viewership peaked at nearly 17 million. 
  • It was the most-watched regular season game on CBS since Alabama-LSU drew 16.712 million viewers in 2019. 

CBS has now broadcast the most-watched college football for five weeks in a row. 

Download the FOS App

The business of sports, in your pocket.

QR code to download the app

Scan the QR code to get the app now.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

ESPN's Dianna Russini photographed for (201) Magazine at Northern Valley Regional High School in Old Tappan, NJ on Aug. 24, 2020.
Exclusive

Dianna Russini Will Seek Credential for Super Bowl Radio Row

Some NFL teams cite her association with BetUS as an issue.
Oct 3, 2026; Fort Collins, Colorado, USA; Oregon State Beavers wide receiver Jesse Legree (12) catches a pass from quarterback Braden Atkinson (2) in the second half against the Colorado State Rams at Sonny Lubick Field at Canvas Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Rydland-Imagn Images

Oregon State Keeps Its Star QB-WR Duo Amid $48M Fundraising Push

An Alabama-style front office and a $24M gift have fueled OSU’s turnaround.

Bears Stadium Saga Draws Flurry of Unsolicited Bids

Local developers are touting a previously rejected stadium site.

NFL Viewership Climbs As ESPN, Amazon Deliver Double-Digit Gains

ESPN and Amazon have generated significant audience increases.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

11/13/26 – NFL Ratings Records, Softball Players Unionize, Skubal Deal Looms

0:00

Featured Today

Soccer Football - Premier League - Aston Villa v Brentford - Villa Park, Birmingham, Britain - October 10, 2026 Aston Villa's Boubacar Kamara applauds fans after the match

English Soccer Still Inundated by Gambling Ads Despite Jersey Ban

The ban on front-of-shirt gambling ads looks strict, but it’s largely cosmetic.
West Wind Mahjong
November 11, 2026

Mahjong Mania Has Come for College Sports

Bespoke retailers are cashing in with officially licensed mahjong sets.
November 6, 2026

Can MLS Capitalize on Son-Mania?

Korea and Tottenham fans alike have flocked to LAFC’s away matches.
Pickering High School North
November 4, 2026

High School Athletic Directors Say They’re Running ‘Mini Colleges’

ADs are managing a growing list of demands from athletes and parents.
October 30, 2026

How Injuries Hit Pro Marathoners in the Wallet

Staying healthy can get expensive—quickly.
November 11, 2026

Mike Tomlin Knows Coaching Talk Is ‘Going to Come Up’ Soon

The ex-Steelers coach is “enjoying” his NBC Sports role.
Exclusive
November 12, 2026

NBA Doubles Down on Kenny Beecham, Enjoy Basketball

Enjoy Basketball previously had a three-episode pilot deal with the league.
Sponsored

How Jeremy Bloom Is Reinventing the X Games

Jeremy Bloom discusses transforming the X Games into a global brand.
Dianna Russini BetUS
November 11, 2026

Russini’s Return Hits 45-Minute Delay, Sidesteps Vrabel Scandal

Russini did joke about memes that have been made about her.
Nov 8, 2026; Madrid, ESP; A general overall view of the 2026 NFL Madrid Game at an empty Bernabeu Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
November 11, 2026

NFL Network’s Europe Games Average a Record 6.9M in First ESPN Season

NFL Network games this season also stream on the ESPN app.
Former New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees on the field prior to the start of a week 6 NFL football game between New York Giants and New Orleans Saints on Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ.
Exclusive
November 11, 2026

Drew Brees Wants to Succeed Troy Aikman on Monday Night Football

Greg Olsen and Tony Romo are other potential candidates.
Feb 10, 2022; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Dianna Russini appears on the red carpet prior to the NFL Honors awards presentation at YouTube Theater. Mandatory Credit:
November 10, 2026

10 Burning Questions About Dianna Russini’s Sports-Media Comeback

Plenty of questions remain ahead of Russini’s upcoming return.