« Free agents | Main | Pats signings »

TV ratings

The AFC Championship game between the Patriots and Colts on Sunday night averaged 46.7 million viewers, up 20 percent from last season's title game, CBS announced.

The 46.7 million total was the highest number of average viewers for the AFC Championship game since the Patriots-Dolphins drew 47.5 million viewers Jan. 12, 1986.

In addition, the 46.7 million viewers made the AFC Championship the most-watched non-Super Bowl program since the series finale of “Friends” on NBC (52.5 million, May 6, 2004), according to CBS.

“Few things stand the test of time in today’s television environment like the NFL,” said Sean McManus, President CBS News & Sports, in a statement. “To reach viewership numbers that have not been reached in more than 20 years really builds great momentum for our team heading into the Super Bowl."