The landscape of NFL viewership is on the cusp of a historical moment as Wild Card Weekend approaches, with projections indicating potential record-breaking audiences. The Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys' clash in 2015 remains the benchmark for Wild Card games, drawing an impressive 42 million viewers. However, this figure may soon be eclipsed.
Last year's face-off between the San Francisco 49ers and the Dallas Cowboys garnered substantial attention, pulling in 41.5 million viewers, the highest in seven years. This sets the stage for the Detroit Lions' upcoming battle against the Los Angeles Rams, which is tipped to surpass previous viewership records.
Anticipation is high, with predictions suggesting that each game during Wild Card Weekend could captivate at least 25 million viewers. To put this into perspective, the New York Giants vs Minnesota Vikings game led last year's Wild Card viewership with 33.21 million tuning in, while the Jacksonville Jaguars vs Los Angeles Chargers matchup attracted over 20 million viewers.
The fervor for playoff football is further evidenced by the Dallas Cowboys' recent match against Washington, which secured its place in the top five most-watched games of the 2023 Wild Card Weekend, drawing 21.73 million viewers—a number matched by the Buffalo vs Miami game.
Digital Streaming Gains Traction
As traditional broadcast viewership remains robust, digital streaming platforms are also experiencing a surge in popularity. Amazon Prime's Thursday Night Football witnessed a notable increase in its viewership, averaging 11.86 million viewers—an uptick of 24 percent. In a groundbreaking move, the Kansas City Chiefs vs Miami Dolphins game will be streamed exclusively on Peacock, NBCUniversal Media Group's streaming service.
Peacock, no stranger to major sporting events, has been the platform of choice for the Super Bowl, the Olympics, and other high-profile events. With contingency plans firmly in place, Peacock is set to showcase its exclusive Wild Card game, reflecting the growing trend of sports consumption via streaming services.
Industry Confidence in Digital Broadcasts
Industry executives express confidence in the digital shift. "Obviously, we’re taking a big step forward here with Peacock," states Hans Schroeder, signaling a new era in how fans engage with live sports. The sentiment is echoed by Rick Cordella, who adds, "We’re excited about this next step of making the game exclusively available on Peacock, but we do that with a lot of confidence and a lot of experience already behind us."
Cordella reinforces this assurance by highlighting NBC Sports' extensive history of streaming significant events: "We’ve streamed the Super Bowl, World Cup, Olympics, and WrestleMania in the past; Premier League each weekend; Sunday Night Football throughout the season." He concludes with a nod to the teams responsible for delivering these experiences: "This is not new territory for us, and I have confidence that our product and tech teams will deliver a great experience for the viewers Saturday evening."
Looking Ahead to Wild Card Weekend
The schedule for Wild Card Weekend is packed with matchups spanning Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, offering a full slate of action for football enthusiasts. As the NFL continues to expand its reach through both traditional broadcasts and innovative streaming options, fans worldwide are afforded unprecedented access to one of America's most beloved sports.
This weekend promises to be a thrilling display of talent, strategy, and competition, potentially setting new benchmarks for viewership. Whether fans choose to tune in via their preferred cable provider or stream the games online, the excitement of the NFL Playoffs is more accessible than ever. With the industry's confidence in its digital platforms and the viewers' unwavering enthusiasm for the game, Wild Card Weekend is poised to make television history once again.