The NFL remains the undisputed king of television, but it experienced a slight dip in viewership during the 2024 season compared to its record-breaking 2023 campaign.
According to Front Office Sports, the league averaged 17.5 million viewers per game across all broadcast networks. While this is still a colossal number that dwarfs other programming, it marks a 2% decline from the 2023 season, which had seen a significant 7% increase to 17.9 million viewers per game. However, the 2024 figures remain higher than those from the 2022 season, reflecting the NFL’s continued dominance in the TV landscape.
Network Highlights and Trends:
- Amazon Prime Video: The league’s Thursday Night Football package on Amazon saw a significant boost, with an 11% year-over-year increase, averaging 13.2 million viewers per game. Including its inaugural Black Friday game, the growth jumped to 13%. This suggests that Amazon’s strategy to expand its NFL footprint is paying off.
- NBC (Sunday Night Football): NBC reported a 1% increase in viewership for Sunday Night Football, averaging 21.6 million viewers. The digital audience also surged, with streaming numbers on Peacock and NBCSports.com jumping 38%, averaging 2.2 million digital viewers per game.
- ESPN (Monday Night Football): ESPN celebrated its second-best season in 24 years of broadcasting Monday Night Football, averaging 15 million viewers per game. However, this figure reflects a 14% drop compared to the 2023 season, which was boosted by extensive ABC simulcasts. Despite the decline, ESPN’s numbers remain robust in the competitive sports broadcasting landscape.
- Fox Sports: Fox’s NFL broadcasts averaged 18.4 million viewers, a 3% decrease from the previous season. However, the network’s flagship “America’s Game of the Week” remained the most-watched NFL broadcast, drawing an average of 23.9 million viewers, though it also dipped 3% from 2023. Meanwhile, Fox NFL Sunday retained its title as the most-watched pregame show for an astounding 31st consecutive season.
- Netflix Debut: Netflix entered the live NFL broadcasting arena with a Christmas doubleheader that averaged over 24 million viewers. The streaming giant’s debut marked a strong start, reflecting significant fan interest in streaming NFL content.
- CBS: While CBS has yet to release its final season numbers, early reports suggest the network averaged 19.2 million viewers per game, down 1% from the prior year.
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Context for the Decline:
Several factors may have contributed to the slight dip in 2024:
- Comparative Highs: The 2023 season saw unusually high engagement due to major storylines, including Aaron Rodgers’ move to the Jets and the ongoing dominance of Patrick Mahomes.
- Regional Team Struggles: Some traditionally strong markets underperformed, leading to decreased local interest.
- Expanded Streaming Options: As more fans shift toward digital platforms, traditional broadcast numbers could see mild cannibalization.
NFL’s Continued Dominance:
Despite the small decline, the NFL claimed 70 of the top 100 broadcasts in the United States for 2024, cementing its position as the most dominant force in television. Networks like NBC and Amazon continue to see growth in digital viewership, showcasing the league’s adaptability to evolving media consumption trends.
The NFL’s ability to command massive audiences even amid modest fluctuations highlights its unparalleled status as the backbone of American sports entertainment.
The league remains well-positioned to maintain its supremacy in the coming years.
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