Record-Breaking NFL Kickoff Games Drive Surge in Linear TV Ratings
The return of the NFL regular season has provided a much-needed boost to linear television, with record-breaking audiences tuning in for the kickoff games. Football fans eagerly embraced the Thursday night opener, as NBC’s telecast of the Detroit Lions’ victory over the Kansas City Chiefs attracted an impressive average of 27.5 million viewers. This marked the largest audience for an NFL kickoff game since 2015, representing a significant 24% increase compared to last year.
NBC continued to enjoy strong viewership numbers with Sunday night’s clash between the Dallas Cowboys and the New York Giants, which garnered 21.8 million viewers. While this figure is slightly lower than last year’s audience of approximately 24 million, it still contributed to a successful opening weekend for NBC. Overall, the network experienced a 7% rise in viewership across its two-game kickoff weekend compared to the previous year.
Another standout performer was CBS, whose late Sunday afternoon showdown between the Philadelphia Eagles and the New England Patriots saw a remarkable 28% surge in viewership compared to the same time slot in the previous season. With 21.4 million viewers tuning in, this game delivered the highest Week 1 audience for CBS since 2015.
Meanwhile, ABC had cause for celebration with its Monday Night Football broadcast of the clash between the New York Jets and the Buffalo Bills, which attracted 10 million viewers. This represents a substantial increase from the 8 million viewers who tuned in for the Week 1 Monday Night Football game in the previous season. However, it is worth noting that the presence of star quarterback Aaron Rodgers, whose injury in the first quarter ended his season prematurely, may have contributed to the higher viewership.
While three additional games—both of Fox’s Sunday matchups and CBS’ early kickoff—experienced smaller audiences compared to Week 1 last year, they still managed to draw more than 10 million viewers.
The return of pro football comes as a welcome relief for networks, who have been grappling with a lack of scripted content due to ongoing strikes by writers and actors, now reaching 134 and 61 days respectively. Even before the strikes, declining linear ratings over the past several years had already prompted networks to shift their focus towards live sports and reality series. For now, it appears that the NFL will continue to prove beneficial for linear television networks.
In summary, the NFL’s kickoff games have revitalized linear TV ratings, with impressive audiences tuning in to witness the action. NBC, CBS, and ABC all experienced significant viewer increases, providing a much-needed boost to networks faced with a content drought. It remains to be seen whether this upward trend will continue throughout the season, but for now, football has reestablished itself as a powerhouse in the world of linear television.
