Posted on 01/08/2026 6:25:37 AM PST by Resolute Conservative
The NFL averaged 18.7 million viewers per game during the regular season, the second-highest since audience averages began being kept in 1988.
The per-game average on TV and digital platforms was a 10% increase from last season’s 17.5 million and up 7% from 2023, according to the league and Nielsen. It also was just off the record average of 19 million, which was set in 1989.
Some of the increase can be attributed to a change in the way viewers are counted. Nielsen began using its Big Data + Panel methodology for all events last September with the start of the current television season.
Earlier this year, Nielsen began measuring out-of-home viewers for all states but Hawaii and Alaska, along with including data from smart TVs along with cable and satellite set-top boxes.
(Excerpt) Read more at kxan.com ...
“Go woke go broke” not only got murdered, it was viciously assassinated and then it was impaled.
That’s weird. 1988 was the year I gave up on watching the National Concussion League. Haven’t watched since.
I wonder if they include people who watch the highlights on YouTube.
Also how much of that viewership is driven by gambling?
Or alternately -
This was a very entertaining NFL regular season (particularly for Bear’s fans!) that saw multiple would-be dynasties appear to pass the torch to a possible next generation of both teams and stars.
For many of us that work for a living, lead full - but often draining - lives with family and friends, taking a few hours break on a weekend afternoon to just enjoy watching a game we love and have lifelong memories is not something we particularly feel ashamed of.
Couldn’t agree more.
Legal online betting and the nfl now go hand in hand.
Televised games are inundated with gambling opportunities.
As long as mostly White people choose to live their lives vicariously through their favorite team or player and continue pay exorbitant prices for tickets and apparel i don’t see it changing.
And they're pumping up those numbers by pushing NFL clips in YouTube shorts into the YouTube algorithm for viewers who have no intent to watch the NFL.
It's blatantly obvious. They're professionally produced with added cheering tracks, music added, etc.
They're promoting it like mad.
If your planning on watching the bears game this weekend I hope you have Amazon prime because that’s the only way your gonna see it.
Pay per view nfl playoff games.
FK that noise....the nfl can piss off as far as I’m concerned.
I thought local markets had to carry the game over the air.
What are your thoughts on McDonalds?
https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/402652/nfl-regular-season-ad-revenue-9-lower-viewing-sl.html
The wonders Tater Swuft can do to MFL viewership.
Yeah but that’s really not my point.
I see a day where all games will be pay per view.....and morons nation wide will drool and happily comply.
The nfl is ruined IMO.
One can save a lot of time and money not caring about sports. Same with big entertainment.
The Chiefs weren’t relevant this year.
People are allowed to have fun.
Ditto. The last time I watched an NFL game Franco Harris and Rocky Bliar where still in the backfield for Pittsburgh. I quit watching pro and college sports decades ago.
With more games going to Netflix, Amazon Prime and Youtube this kinda makes sense....................
This was Neilsen ratings of the games so no on YouTube.
Funny for years and years people insisted the games ratings were inflated by Fantasy Football. Now gambling. Maybe people just like the game. Of course in the end it doesn’t matter. Eyeballs is eyeballs. Hate watch it, love watch it, watch it to see yourself lose bets, just so long as you’re watching. That’s all the revenue stream cares.
Other than my cable bill sports doesn’t cost me a thing. Why do some want to deny others entertainment?
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