TV ratings for Arizona Cardinals preseason game very high

The Arizona Cardinals have some excited fans right now. Attendance has been up in training camp and everywhere you go, you can see Cardinals gear.

It is just the preseason, but people are tuning in. The TV broadcast of the Cardinals preseason opener against the Kansas City Chiefs on August 15 drew a 12.1 overall household rating locally on ABC 15, according to The Nielsen Company.

Among the coveted demographic of viewers between 25-54, the Cards-Chiefs game last Saturday drew an 8.7 rating and was the #1 sports broadcast in the Phoenix market since the start of July (second-ranked was Women's World Cup Soccer on July 5 with an 8.2 rating).

Among all TV programs in that time frame, only the Republican debate on August 6 had a higher rating among viewers 25-54 (10.9) than the Cards-Chiefs game.

The large broadcast audience was in addition to the sold out crowd that attended the game in person. Including preseason and postseason, the Cardinals have sold out all 94 games they have played at University of Phoenix Stadium, which opened in August of 2006.

The Cardinals are back on ABC 15 this Saturday when they host the San Diego Chargers. Pregame starts at 6:30 PM with kickoff to follow at 7:00 PM.