Nielsen also releases viewership figures that include three, seven and even 35 days of DVR viewing, but those are not shown here as they are not particularly relevant for sporting events. However, intrigue when it came to the San Francisco 49ers trading up to No. CBS Sports Coverage of @Lions@Steelers is Most-Watched @NFLonCBS Preseason Game Since 2013. pic.twitter.com/XhQ54SowF6, CBS Sports PR (@CBSSportsGang) August 30, 2022. Fueled by the celeb status of one of the leagues most well-known players and a scandal involving deflated footballs, the social universe took note. Following in close second were Aaron Rodgers and the storied Green Bay Packers, scoring a 182 on the Nielsen Sports Media Exposure Indexmeaning the teams total media exposure was 82% higher than the NFL team average for the categories analyzed. Meanwhile, 800,000 watched the ManningCast on ESPN2 with brothers Eli and Peyton. https://twitter.com/CBSSportsGang/status/1564618648429395974?s=20&t=d__mH136DLpY8AHYzlBHaQ, NFL trade rumors: Latest on Aaron Rodgers, Tee Higgins and more, Top NFL free agents of 2023: From 1-400, Derek Carr, Bobby Wagner join growing market, Bold sports 2023 predictions: Future for Nets, Yankees, Tom Brady, Shohei Ohtani, Super Bowl and more, New York Giants vs Dallas Cowboys game sets NFL regular-season viewership record, Pro Football Hall of Fame 2022: Class of inductees, how to watch and more, NFL reportedly generated record-setting $11 billion in national revenue last season, NFL Sunday Ticket: Pricing, how to buy, and its future, 2023 USFL teams, coaches, and star players, Predicting NFL playoff bracket and Super Bowl 2024 winner, most-watched NFL Wild Card Game since 2015, Dallas-Tampa Bay 15.9 overnight rating was up 16% from 2020s opener, the NFLs highest-paid player in 2021 in Prescott, the Wall Street Journal reported this past weekend, Philadephia Eagles vs Dallas Cowboys (Dec. 24), Green Bay Packers vs Miami Dolphins (Dec. 25), Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Arizona Cardinals, Los Angeles Chargers vs Indianapolis Colts, 12% viewership spike compared to 2021 game (Bears vs Lions), Largest audience for an early Thanksgiving game in NFL history. Whether football fans love them or hate them, the Cowboys generate attention and they will be a focus of nationally-televised games in 2023. For comparison, $20.1 million watched the Minnesota Vikings vs. New Orleans Saints game in the same time slot last Christmas. Even at the hands of a 4-12 season last year, Americas Team still managed to garner the most media exposure among its franchise competitors. Its just part of the reason the NFL generated record-setting national revenue this past year. It is the second-least watched Hall of Fame Game in a decade, but theres a reason for it. Also of note, just seven of NBCs Sunday night broadcasts averaged 17-plus million viewers last season. As if a memorable weekend of playoff football couldnt get any better for the NFL, it did following the release of TV ratings. A Texas graduate, he is married with three children and lives outside Fort Worth, Texas. Out went to the traditional game between the AFC vs NFC and in came three flag football games plus individual skills challenges. In the final minutes of the Chiefs' 42-36 overtime slaying of the Bills, 90 percent of the TVs turned on in Kansas City and Buffalo were watching the game. Joe Montana, Roger Craig, Steve Young, Jerry Rice, and Ronnie Lott all played on the 1989 team. Round 1 of the 2022 NFL Draft averaged 10.03 million viewers with a 5.6 rating. It marks a 14% increase from the total viewership from last years Week 3 game. Monday Night Football was already the lesser football package for NFL games and the decline in viewership didnt help in 2020. The game did 41.5 million viewers across CBS and Nickelodeon. 2020 against the previous low year of 2017, there is a YTD increase of 0.1% [total difference is 0.5M]. It was the most-watched Week 4 MNF game since 2018. More changes will come, but its unlikely any of it makes a difference. On NBC in Week 6, the SNF broadcast averaged `6.28 million viewers with a 9.0 rating. Unsurprisingly, the NFL TV ratings are easily outpacing anything Major League Baseball is generating in terms of viewership. Combined, the two games averaged 49.6 million viewers across TV and digital streaming, according to an NFL announcement. The Nielsen ratings from Sunday night, per Variety.com, revealed that the Week 2 clash between the Baltimore Ravens and Kansas City Chiefs averaged 16.1 million viewers and received a 4.8 demo rating. Local TV ratings for each team. It comes as no surprise that the highest NFL TV ratings in 2022 came when the Dallas Cowboys are playing. A late matchup between the Indianapolis Colts and Arizona Cardinals also did well. Unsurprisingly, the best NFL television ratings of the year came with millions of people sitting down on Thanksgiving to watch football. The past 12 NBA Finals games have seen a total of 106 million viewers tune in on television and through streaming services. Dont expect this to change in 2022 with the draft heading to Las Vegas. While the COVID-19 pandemic forced many postponed games in 2020 and cost the NFL billions in revenue, outbreaks across the league arent having the same impact in 2021. Two notes: In comparison, the 2021 NFL Draft averaged 12.5 million viewers and the virtual 2020 NFL Draft averaged 15.3 million viewers. Thanks for the reminder. Two questions. TV ratings of major. The NBA and its players were the most active in calling for systemic change in the United States and supporting the Black Lives Matter message last year. Better yet, the 21 most-watched shows on TV since September 9 have all been NFL games. Before the 2022 NFL regular season begins, the league already has a few reasons to feel good about what is coming this fall. To help develop Drake Maye and the Heels' quarterbacks, Mack Brown is bringing in one of the NFL's most accomplished quarterbacks coaches. Of course, that money will be passed on to those competing on the field and thats why you see contracts for the highest paid NFL players skyrocketing. NFL TV ratings were a mixed back throughout the 2020 season. Simplistic view, thru week 11, 2020 using Mr. Ps numbers. 1 sport in the United States. We'll revisit these Power Rankings quarterly, during the season. 49 print issues delivered to your home or office. Of the 30 most-watched television broadcasts of all-time in the United States, 29 have been Super Bowls. Its a slight dip from the 1.89 million that ESPN2 pulled in Week 3 (1.89 million), but greater than what ESPN2 would bring in on a normal night. In comparison to the 2019 Pro Bowl, viewership dropped 17% (8.05 million). Baltimore -- 27.91 13. A few hours later, Tom Bradys return to Gillette Stadium pulled in 26.7 million viewers for NBC. The four-win New York Jets actually saw a TV ratings increase of 8%, but their 7.12 local rating is the leagues lowest. To put this into perspective, the 2021 NBA Finals between the Milwaukee Bucks and Phoenix Suns drew an average of 9.91 million viewers (more on that later). According to Statista , the NFL will collect $54.6 billion from TV contracts with FOX (runs from 2014-2022), CBS (2014-2022), NBC (2014-2022), ESPN (2014-2021) and DirecTV . Its a notable drop from the numbers last season. Competing against the Winter Olympics certainly didnt help. Well, all the local teams except the Jets. After seeing its viewership drop during the 2020 season, the National Football League is faring much better this fall. Best of all for the network, it was the most-watched Week 3 game since 2015 and marked the third consecutive week NBC drew 20-plus million viewers on Sunday night. Cord-cutting might play one factor in the declining ratings across television. NFL Media announced that its nationally-broadcasted games are averaging 17.3 million viewers per game (TV and digital), a 17% increase from the 2020 season. Yeah, the NFL still tops the sports world in terms of popularity. Those close to this situation called it unheard of. Some of the broadcast networks, such as CBS and Fox, even considered having advertisers pay less than what they had originally pledged to air ads during NFL games. (this excludes ALL the Thu night games & Special games as that is tracked separately). As Pro Football Talk notes, those numbers are all steep improvements from the 2021 NFL playoffs. Additionally, 175 games 64% of all games were within one score (eight points) in the fourth quarter tied for the fourth-most all-time. While NFL TV ratings increased during the 2021 season, the league didnt see that upward trajectory continue with the 2022 NFL Draft. Keep in mind these are average ratings. This chart does not include ratings from week 3 because TVB did not post them. ESPN's Monday Night Football saw an increase of 16% over the 2020 regular season, leading the way as all NFL regular-season games saw a 10% boost in TV ratings year over year. The NFL scored across-the-board increases for its Sunday games in Week 13 of the season, The NFLs three Thanksgiving Day games delivered record audiences, hit a season-low for an unappealing NFC South dud, and posted its first year-over-year decline of the season, each scored strong numbers in Week 5 of the NFL season, topped the charts in Week 4 of the NFL season, FOX and ESPN/ABC both scored multi-year highs in Week 3 of the NFL season, the NFLs largest Week 2 audience since at least 2000, with Titans-Bills the least-watched game ever in the MNF package, Amazon started its Thursday night run with a stronger audience than expected, Buccaneers-Cowboys was easily the top ratings draw in Week 1 of the NFL season. Held in Las Vegas and viewed as a great event for those in attendance, it wasnt nearly as big of a hit for everyone at home. On the penultimate NFL Sunday of the 2021 season, the Pro Bowl delivered its worst ratings in 16 years. Tennessee -- 26.3214. NFL Media announced that its nationally-broadcasted games are averaging 17.3 million viewers per game (TV and digital), a 17% increase from the 2020 season. According to Fox Sports, the 113 million that tuned in to watch the Kansas City Chiefs defeat the Philadelphia Eagles was the most-watched Super Bowl in six years. 2) Week 6 single Sunday game [Fox] does not have viewer numbers posted, so used an estimate. Hi week 14 MNF was Arizona Cardinals and LA Rams, not 9ers. The latest sports TV ratings news, covering every league from the NFL to the WNBA. https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Journal/Issues/2022/01/24/In-Depth/NFL-Local-Ratings.aspx. Ill see what I can do. One other comparison: So many storylines. NFL teams anticipate the salary cap seeing nearly $20 million per season in the years ahead. In fact, four out of the top 10 teams in the Exposure Ranking analysis didnt even make the playoffs last season. According to Sports Media Watch, viewership for Day 2 of the NFL Draft sat at 5.03 million with a 3.0 rating. Meanwhile, Amazons Thursday Night Football saw an uptick with Tom Brady and the Buccaneers on schedule. 5. 1) Just to confirm. Best of all for the network, it was the most-watched Week 3 game since 2015 and marked the third consecutive week NBC drew 20-plus million viewers on Sunday night. Washington Commanders dead last in NFLPA team 2023 NFL Draft wide receiver rankings: Quentin NBA Power Rankings: Milwaukee Bucks take top Philadephia Eagles vs Dallas Cowboys (Dec. 24), Green Bay Packers vs Miami Dolphins (Dec. 25), Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Arizona Cardinals, Los Angeles Chargers vs Indianapolis Colts, 12% viewership spike compared to 2021 game (Bears vs Lions), Largest audience for an early Thanksgiving game in NFL history. Spot TV is inclusive of Nielsen's top 10 Hispanic DMA's based on TV Households. Political advertising pricing varies by station and is subject to change, therefore cannot be compared to previous time periods. The 2021 NFL season continues to pull in excellent numbers, even when the matchups arent ideal from a fan-interest perspective. For the Dallas Cowboys, individual rankings didnt matter much, as the team finished no less than second in four out of five categories (with a field goals worth of No. The entire NFL Playoffs have been a huge draw, averaging 36.3 million viewers. Both teams on-field play stood out this season, which, of course, helped attract viewers. According to data obtained by Mike Jurecki, 88 of the top 100 shows on TV in 2022 were NFL games. TV networks are feeling the strains of disappointing NFL ratings, as they are forced to restructure deals with advertisers to make up for the smaller audience, and their opportunity to make money off remaining games during the lucrative holiday season narrows, the Wall Street Journal reported this past weekend. Zach has been FootballScoop's national columnist since 2012. Kansas City -- 45.28, 3. Strange circumstances brought Martin and Malzahn together, but now the pair are united for a second time. Before the 2020 NFL season began, ESPN worked desperately to lure in a broadcasting crew that would entertain fans and increase viewership. Specifically, the analysis used a weighted system for national ratings and appearances, local ratings, social reach and online visits in order to rank each teams exposure potential.. The NFL is trying things every year to try and make the Pro Bowl a little more exciting and competitive. Cowboys-49ers topped Divisional Round weekend with more than 45 million viewers, the second-largest audience on record for a Divisional Round game. As Jimmy Traina of Sports Illustrated also points out, a Saturday preseason game between the Steelers and Seattle Seahawks broadcasted on NFL Network pulled in a larger audience than Foxs broadcast of the Boston Red Sox vs New York Yankees. The NFL TV ratings during the regular season once again prove that football is the most popular thing on television. Buccaneers-Cowboys was easily the top ratings draw in Week 1 of the NFL season, averaging a 12.3 rating and 23.3 million viewers (25 million including additional streaming data not tracked by Nielsen). When Madden NFL 23 launches worldwide on August 19, you'll know which teams have the upper hand when you're going head-to-head against your pals in Play Now. 22.3 million tuned in on CBS to watch the Green Bay Packers battle the Pittsburgh Steelers. Notably, Amazon is still excited about its partnership with the NFL. Moving forward, the NFL may attempt to feature teams like the Cowboys, New England Patriots and Green Bay Packers to aid ratings for the SNF opener. Upgrade your subscription to get all the news you need: Adding SBJ weekly content will give you the comprehensive view of sports business with: Adding SBJ daily content will give you the comprehensive view of sports business with: The Chargers just missed making the playoffs, but local ratings for the teams games still rose 25% over the previous season. Miami -- 11.84, 2019 March Madness national championship: 11.6, 29. Your email address will not be published. While it was a dip from the Bills-Chiefs Week 5 game, that is partially due to the absence of Russell Wilson. Ourand noted that the rating figure doesnt include out-of-home viewing. It's perfectly fitting that the greatest weekend in sports history crescendoed the way it did. According to SportsTVRatings, ESPN averaged 11.189 million viewers for its primary Monday night broadcast of the New Orleans Saints vs Seattle Seahawks contest. "Featuring incredible play on the field and close contests, the 2021 regular season proved to be one of the most exciting and exhilarating of all-time," said Hans Schroeder, NFL Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, NFL Media. The electrifying Odell Beckham, Jr. of the Giants, and his battles with Washington's new cornerback, Josh Norman, helped lead the team to ninth place in the category. In other words, it was a raging success. The Manningcast returned after a brief hiatus and the level of fan interest was greater than ever. Meanwhile, Thursday Night Football hit a season-low for an unappealing NFC South dud. . To join our email list and get notified when we launch the 2023-24 NFL section (probably late May), register for a free account. It was an ugly game, but the intrigue and the close score kept an audience around. After a strong finish to the regular season, the presence of marquee teams and legendary quarterbacks in the NFL Playoffs have provided a boost for viewership. During a season when they won the NFC East, the Cowboys local TV ratings in the Dallas-Fort Worth market were the ninth-highest in the NFL. In a season where 21 of the leagues 32 teams posted local TV ratings increases, the performance of the two teams in Los Angeles stood out. So much interest. Chiefs-49ers was the exception in a mostly down week for the NFL that saw Amazon Prime score a new season-low. What we do know is that the 2021 NBA Finals between the eventual champion Milwaukee Bucks and upstart Phoenix Suns did not draw great ratings. However, intrigue when it came to the San Francisco 49ers trading up to No. For comparison, the 2020 TNF opener between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals averaged 6.68 million viewers. delivered the largest audience of Week 18, scored the NFLs largest singleheader audience in seven years, outdrew all three of the NFLs Christmas Day games. During a regular season when the NFL saw a 10% uptick in TV ratings and streaming numbers nationally, the overall performance in these big markets show that theres still a lot of room for growth. Monday night in week 1 had only one game vs the usual two MNF games in week 1. Competing against the Winter Olympics certainly didnt help. The three most-watched drafts in NFL history have occurred in the last three years: 2019 (6.2 million), 2020 (8.3 million), 2021 (6.1 million).. Nielsen uses a separate total viewing figure to estimate how many viewers watched at least six minutes of any given telecast. The NBA owned Christmas for many years, with many effectively viewing NBA games on Christmas Day as the unofficial start of each basketball season. This site has focused on the up-and-down NFL TV ratings for the 2020 season. YouTube TV, Hulu with live TV, Sling, Fubo TV, AT&T TV Now) on television, computer and mobile devices, though those figures are typically added to the total a few days the initial final nationals are published (and as such may not always be included in the numbers you see on this page). Washington Examiner. Here is a sampling of those horrible numbers via Sports Media Watch: The 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs averaged 953,000 viewers across NBC's TV and digital platforms. Below are the ratings and average audience size for the nationally-broadcasted NFL games in Week 8, via SportsMediaWatch. The electrifying Odell Beckham, Jr. of the Giants, and his battles with Washingtons new cornerback, Josh Norman, helped lead the team to ninth place in the category. Both teams saw 14% drops in their local TV ratings this season. As reported by Sports Media Watch, the Week 7 TNF clash between the New Orleans Saints vs Arizona Cardinals averaged just 7.82 million viewers for Amazon Prime. Meanwhile, Amazons Thursday Night Football scored another big increase. A brief explainer of TV ratings, using the Bills-Rams NFL Kickoff Game. Super Bowl LV (Chiefs-Buccaneers): 91.63 million, NFC Championship Game (Buccaneers-Packers): 44.77 million, AFC Championship Game (Bills-Chiefs): 41.85 million, NFC Playoffs (Buccaneers-Saints): 35.46 million, NFC Playoffs (Rams-Packers): 26.5 million, AFC Playoffs (Browns-Chiefs): 34.33 million, AFC Playoffs (Ravens-Bills): 26.34 million. Round 1 of the 2022 NFL Draft averaged 10.03 million viewers with a 5.6 rating. The Super Bowl champion Denver Broncos, bolstered by top 10 finishes in all categories, were able to crack the top five, while reigning MVP Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers finished eighth overall. According to the Hollywood Reporter, the NFLs four divisional round matchups averaged 37.1 million viewers. On NBC in Week 6, the SNF broadcast averaged `6.28 million viewers with a 9.0 rating. Week 8 and Week 9 of the 2022 NFL season have lined up with the World Series between the Houston Astros vs Philadelphia Phillies. The NFLs best local TV story came out of Dallas, where the Cowboys ratings jumped 23% the leagues second-biggest increase. When it comes to gridiron greatness, NFL teams can notch up wins in ways different from on-field records. With the league struggling revenue-wise due to COVID-19, seeing one of the lowest-rated Super Bowls in NFL history cant be seen as a great thing. Not much of that had to to with networks and their relationships with sponsors as a decline became obvious around around the football world. During the 2021 NFL regular season, NFL games ranked as the top 16, 48 of the top 50 and 91 of the top 100 telecasts on TV. Buffalo -- 47.16 2. NBC averaged 22.8 million viewers for its two games, an increase of 11% from last season. Either way, Super Bowl LV between the eventual champion Buccaneers and Kansas City Chiefs represented the worst ratings for the big game since all the way back in 1969. It's been proclaimed the most exciting two minutes in sports. It was TV you couldn't stop watching if you tried, played by the two most-fervently watched teams in football. Weve also included the NFL Draft ratings from this past June.