NFL game broadcast are averaging a whopping 10.8% of U.S. TV households — up 7% from 2009 — even though some games are on the NFL Network, which reaches about 57 million households; broadcast networks reach about 114 million.

That 10.8% is the highest average since 1996. Each NFL TV carrier is up — CBS (12%), NBC (9%), Fox (3%) and NFLN soaring by 38% — except ESPN, which is off by 2%.

For perspective, that 10.8% NFL average more than doubles the average rating for broadcast network prime-time shows.

And despite their woes this season, the Dallas Cowboys remain TV stars. NFL broadcasts were 20 of this fall's 22 highest-rated TV shows, and the Cowboys were in six of them — as were Michael Vick's Philadelphia Eagles.

Entering bowl season, college football has left viewers less than entranced. CBS' Southeastern Conference games were the highest-rated college TV package in averaging 4.2% — down 4%. ESPN's games were even, but ESPN2's were down 10%. ABC's games were off 10%, and NBC's Notre Dame games were off 12%. Games on Versus, which added 12 million households to reach a total of 75 million, were up 50% — but averaged an underwhelming 0.3% of U.S. households.

And it didn't help that big-name, big-state Florida, Southern California and Texas weren't title contenders.