CFL on CTV ratings continue to disappoint amid shortened Week 15 slate

Photo courtesy: Bob Butrym/RFB Sport Photography

The CFL had three games on the schedule in Week 15 and produced a second straight disappointing result on CTV.

After the Banjo Bowl saw a 17 percent drop in year-over-year ratings during the first CFL broadcast on CTV since 1986, Saturday’s matchup between the Ottawa Redblacks and Hamilton Tiger-Cats drew an average audience less than 300,000 — among the lowest-rated games this year. The Tabbies pulled an upset to put themselves back in playoff contention but could not attract national eyeballs, though 57,000 did tune in locally on CTV Toronto.

Thursday Night Football on TSN featured the Buffalo Bills running roughshod over the Miami Dolphins, drawing the largest average audience for a sports broadcast last week with 1,099,200 tuning in. The Sunday Night Football game between the Chicago Bears and Houston Texans pulled in 767,700.

Despite an unusual 10:00 p.m. ET start time, Friday night’s clash between the B.C. Lions and Toronto Argonauts was the highest-rated CFL game on English television with almost 440,000. That trailed that night’s Blue Jays broadcast on Sportsnet, which attracted 649,500. Saturday MLB baseball produced 602,400 as the CFL struggled on the major network.

2024 Week 15 TV ratings

Friday
Toronto at B.C. — 438,800 TSN

Saturday
Ottawa at Hamilton — 275,000 CTV

Montreal at Calgary — 359,500 TSN and 291,600 RDS (651,100 total)

Total average: 357,766 (French included: 454,967)