The Winnipeg Blue Bombers put the boots to the Montreal Alouettes and even long after the fight was over, it was hard for people to look away.
Reigning CFL Most Outstanding Player Zach Collaros had an up-and-down performance with four touchdown passes versus three interceptions but it was at least entertaining. Winnipeg scored 33 unanswered points to fly away from the Als 47-17. It was 20-17 for the Blue and Gold at halftime but Montreal did not show up in the second half.
Viewers were certainly intrigued by the game with the Alouettes trying to establish themselves as legit Grey Cup contenders and Collaros returning to the lineup after being out one week with a neck injury. It was the sixth time a CFL broadcast went over the 700,000 mark this year, which includes both matchups between the Bombers and Als.
1) Week 11, B.C. at Saskatchewan — TSN 756,700
2) Week 4, Winnipeg at Montreal — TSN+RDS 735,000 total
3) Week 6, Calgary at Saskatchewan — TSN 721,600
4) Week 12, Montreal at Winnipeg — TSN+RDS 708,700 total
5) Week 10, Saskatchewan at Montreal — TSN+RDS 705,300 total
6) Week 5, Montreal at B.C. — TSN+RDS 704,500 total
The Alouettes and Blue Bombers led the way among the four CFL tilts in the 25-54 age demographic: MTL-WPG, 234,200; CGY-TOR, 185,100; HAM-B.C., 143,800; OTT-EDM, 148,400. The three-down league touted a 29 percent increase in this demo at the midseason mark and it continues to be a strong point in 2023.
Meanwhile, the CFL had competition from the Blue Jays on Thursday and Friday nights. Canada’s only Major League Baseball team had 961,500 people watch a loss to the American League East Division-leading Baltimore Orioles and 905,000 tuned in to see the Jays lose to Cleveland.
2023 Week 12 TV ratings:
Thursday
Montreal at Winnipeg — TSN 530,400 and RDS 178,300 for 708,700 total
Friday
Calgary at Toronto — 534,200
Saturday
Hamilton at B.C. — 458,400
Sunday
Ottawa at Edmonton — 449,900
Total Week 12 average: 493,225 (French included: 537,800)
