Canadian QB Nathan Rourke’s return game registers largest CFL television rating in 2024

Photo courtesy: Paul Yates/B.C. Lions

Canadian quarterback Nathan Rourke does exactly what his co-general manager Neil McEvoy said: move the needle.

The 26-year-old’s first CFL start since November 2022 garnered the largest television audience so far in 2024 with over 750,000 average viewers tuning in on TSN. Rourke completed 8-of-25 passes for 126 yards and two interceptions during a 20-11 loss versus the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

Despite his poor performance, three-quarters of a million football fans across the country turned on the TV to watch the star QB. This season to date, there have been two other games crest 700,000: Hamilton against Ottawa in Week 4 (722,700) and Saskatchewan in Montreal (731,00) in Week 8 — TSN and RDS numbers combined.

The 2022 Most Outstanding Canadian draws attention like no other in the CFL. His return north of the border helped the three-down league to its highest average weekly rating this season, with nearly 600,000 watching games over the weekend.

2024 Week 11 TV ratings

Thursday
Ottawa at Calgary — 379,500 TSN

Friday
Montreal at Saskatchewan — 652,300 TSN and RDS combined

Saturday
Edmonton at Hamilton — 596,300 TSN

Sunday
Winnipeg at B.C. — 751,400 TSN

Total average: 594,875 (French included)