Arizona Cardinals TV ratings continue to rise

Oct 30, 2014, 4:49 PM | Updated: 5:36 pm

The Arizona Cardinals are winning. And you’re watching.

According to a release sent out by the team, Sunday’s thrilling 24-20 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles was watched in more Valley households than all other competing programs combined.

As measured by the NFL and The Nielsen Company, the local broadcast of the game generated a 29.3 rating with a 55 share, being watched in 537,000 Valley homes.

The share was the second-highest for a Cardinals regular season game since the team moved to Arizona in 1988, bettered only by the 1998 season finale that saw the team clinch a Wild Card spot.

Furthermore, the 29.3 rating along with the broad audience were the highest ever totals for a Sunday afternoon Cardinals broadcast, with only a prime-time game against the Minnesota Vikings in 2009 ranking higher in both categories.

In all, the Cardinals’ TV numbers reflect a 28 percent jump over the same point last season, which is the largest increase in the NFL. The seven Cardinals broadcasts represent the most-watched programs of any kind in the Phoenix market this season, and dating back to last season the last 12 Cardinals games have drawn a local audience of over 400,000 households, which is the longest such streak in team history.

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Philadelphia Eagles' Trent Cole (58) knocks the ball loose from Arizona Cardinals' Carson Palmer during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2013, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Michael Perez)

Philadelphia Eagles' Brent Celek (87) tries to break free from Arizona Cardinals' Karlos Dansby, right, Rashad Johnson (26) and Daryl Washington (58) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2013, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Philadelphia Eagles' Zach Ertz, left, pulls in a touchdown pass as Arizona Cardinals' Tyrann Mathieu defends during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2013, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Philadelphia Eagles' Zach Ertz celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2013, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Arizona Cardinals' Karlos Dansby, left, chases down Philadelphia Eagles' Nick Foles during the first half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 1, 2013, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Michael Perez)

Arizona Cardinals' Larry Fitzgerald scores a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2013, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Michael Perez)

Arizona Cardinals' Larry Fitzgerald makes a 43-yard touchdown run during the first half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2013, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Michael Perez)

Arizona Cardinals' Brittan Golden (10) unable to catch a pass as Philadelphia Eagles' Patrick Chung (23) defends during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2013, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Arizona Cardinals' Patrick Peterson, right, breaks up a pass intended for Philadelphia Eagles' DeSean Jackson during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2013, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Philadelphia Eagles' Nick Foles, left, passes under pressure from Arizona Cardinals' Darnell Dockett during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2013, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Michael Perez)

Philadelphia Eagles' Nick Foles (9) tosses to LeSean McCoy (25) as he is tackled by Arizona Cardinals' Dan Williams (92) and Frostee Rucker (98) during the first half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 1, 2013, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Michael Perez)

Philadelphia Eagles' Brent Celek celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals Sunday, Dec. 1, 2013, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Michael Perez)

Arizona Cardinals' Carson Palmer passes under pressure from Philadelphia Eagles' Brandon Graham during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2013, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Philadelphia Eagles' Riley Cooper, top, is unable to pull in a pass against Arizona Cardinals' Jerraud Powers during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2013, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Michael Perez)

Philadelphia Eagles' Nick Foles, center, is tackled by Arizona Cardinals' Marcus Benard, left, and Daryl Washington during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2013, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Tim Donnelly)

Arizona Cardinals' Michael Floyd pulls in a pass against Philadelphia Eagles' Nate Allen during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2013, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Arizona Cardinals' Jim Dray (81) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2013, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Philadelphia Eagles' Nick Foles, left, is tackled by Arizona Cardinals' Daryl Washington during the second half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 1, 2013, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Arizona Cardinals' Carson Palmer (3) meets with Philadelphia Eagles' Nick Foles (9) after an NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 1, 2013, in Philadelphia. Philadelphia won 24-21. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Philadelphia Eagles' Nick Foles walks the field after an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2013, in Philadelphia. Philadelphia won 24-21. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Philadelphia Eagles head coach Chip Kelly, right, meets with Arizona Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians after an NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 1, 2013, in Philadelphia. Philadelphia won 24-21. (AP Photo/Michael Perez)

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