The Canadian Football League’s rollercoaster television ratings have hit their lowest valley of the 2022 season.
Average viewership in Week 11 dropped by over 140,000 from the 522,600 that tuned in during Week 10 while shattering the season-low of 422,675 that watched in Week 9. A pair of doubleheaders on Friday and Saturday failed to hold viewers’ attention throughout the day with other major sporting events on the schedule.
On Saturday, the International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championship final drew 1,415,700 eyes away from TSN’s television property, as Canada won over Finland in overtime to earn the gold medal. Those ratings were up significantly from the 465,600 viewers who watched Canada’s 5-2 semi-final victory over Czechia on Friday afternoon. Meanwhile, the Toronto Blue Jays continue to post strong numbers despite the rescheduled hockey tournament, drawing 786,700 Saturday on Sportsnet.
Amidst all the excitement, Saturday afternoon’s East Division clash between the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Montreal Alouettes posted a single-game season-low 227,900 viewers even though it was decided by a single point on a walk-off field goal. The second half of the doubleheader between Calgary and Toronto fared little better, managing just over 300,000 — less than the battle of basement dwellers in Ottawa the night before.
Propping up the dismal week was the league’s two ratings powerhouses, the Saskatchewan Roughriders and the Nathan Rourke-led B.C. Lions. The Leos’ 28-10 victory on Friday night attracted more than 650,000 for appointment viewing, as B.C.’s Canadian pivot dazzled once again before suffering a Lisfranc sprain in his right foot that could potentially end his season.
2022 Week 11 TV ratings:
Friday
Edmonton at Ottawa — 338,700
B.C. at Saskatchewan — 658,200
Saturday
Hamilton at Montreal — 227,900
Calgary at Toronto — 306,500
Total Week 11 average: 382,285
(These numbers do not include viewership from RDS, TSN’s French-language affiliate, which has averaged approximately 200,000 viewers for Alouettes games in 2022.)
