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Seahawks/Redskins NFC Wildcard Game Scores Big Ratings for Fox

Related: FOX

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Sunday's NFC Wildcard battle between the Seattle Seahawks and the Washington Redskins scored big on FOX, posting an impressive 21.5/36 fast national rating/share with 38.1 million viewers according to Nielsen Media Research.

The rating for Sunday's competitive contest was up +24% over last year's 17.3/36 (27.7 million viewers) for Falcons/Giants on FOX. It marks FOX's third best national rating for the NFC Wildcard game and is the network's second most-watched NFC Wildcard game ever, with only 2011's Green Bay Packers vs. Philadelphia Eagles game (39.3 million viewers) garnering more. Sunday's Seahawks/Redskins broadcast also notched the most-watched television program to air on any network since NBC's Olympic coverage on 7/31/12 which included the US Women's Gymnastics team capturing gold and Men's 4 x 200 freestyle relay swimming finals.

Year-to-year increases among the key male and adult demographics were even more striking, with Sunday's game up +38% among Men 18-34 (14.4 vs. 10.4), +36% among Men 18-49 (17.7 vs. 13.0), +43% among Adults 18-34 (11.0 vs. 7.7), and +41% among Adults 18-49 (13.4 vs. 9.5).

Sunday's game opened with a 17.7/32, 29.9 million viewers and grew steadily throughout the game. The peak audience was the game's finale from 7:15-7:30 PM ET when 43.8 million viewers (24.0/37) watched Seattle held off Washington to advance to the Divisional round where they face the Atlanta Falcons.

Washington DC led all markets with a remarkable 50.2/71, as the region tuned-in to watch their first home playoff game in 13 years. That ranks as Washington's highest-rating ever for a playoff game on FOX (excluding the Super Bowl). Seattle placed second with a 46.7/76.

FOX Sports' exclusive coverage of the NFC Divisional Playoffs continues this weekend beginning with the Green Bay Packers traveling to San Francisco to take on the 49ers. Coverage begins at 7:30 PM ET on Saturday, Jan 12. On Sunday Jan. 13, FOX NFL SUNDAY kicks-off at 12:00 PM ET before the Seattle Seahawks take on the Atlanta Falcons from the Georgia Dome. Coverage of the NFC Championship Game begins at 2:00 PM ET on Sunday, Jan. 20.