The CFL has taken a TV ratings hit to open the 2017 regular season.
While the season-opener between Montreal and Saskatchewan was watched by 851,000 across Canada, making it the most-watched opener in four seasons, the English-language number for TSN was just 620,000 – less than the 692,000 that tuned in to 2016 CFL lid-lifter between Hamilton and Toronto.
Overall, the average English-language viewership for the four games in week one this season was 524,000, compared to a 592,000 average in 2016. That’s a decline of 11.2 per cent.
That said, the CFL should get a bump from the opening of new Mosaic Stadium in Regina on Saturday… assuming the entire province of Saskatchewan isn’t at the game.
Week 1 English language CFL ratings
Thursday
Saskatchewan at Montreal: 620,000
Friday
Calgary at Ottawa: 457,000
Saturday
Edmonton at B.C.: 596,000
Sunday
Hamilton at Toronto: 422,000
