NFL Wild Card Weekend Set to Break Viewership Records
The NFL Playoffs Wild Card Weekend is poised to make television history, with viewership potentially soaring past previous records. The highly anticipated showdown between the Detroit Lions and the Los Angeles Rams has sparked widespread speculation that it could eclipse the current record for a Wild Card game—a staggering 42 million viewers set by the Lions vs. Dallas Cowboys clash in 2015.
Rising Viewership Trends
Last year's match-up between the San Francisco 49ers and the Cowboys nearly matched that historic figure, drawing an impressive 41.5 million viewers, the highest in seven years. This year's games are expected to maintain this upward trajectory, with predictions suggesting a baseline of at least 25 million viewers for Wild Card Weekend contests.
The New York Giants' face-off with the Minnesota Vikings led last year's Wild Card Weekend viewership, attracting over 33.21 million fans, while the Jacksonville Jaguars vs. the Los Angeles Chargers drew an audience exceeding 20 million. Not to be outdone, the battle between Dallas and Washington commanded the attention of 21.73 million viewers, tying with the Buffalo vs. Miami game for a spot in the top five most-watched games of the 2023 Wild Card Weekend.
Streaming Successes
Amazon Prime's Thursday Night Football has seen its viewership jump by 24 percent, boasting an average of 11.86 million viewers—an indicator of the growing popularity of streaming services as a platform for live sports. In a landmark move, the Kansas City Chiefs vs. Miami Dolphins game will stream exclusively on Peacock, NBCUniversal Media Group's streaming service.
NBC Sports, known for streaming major events such as the Super Bowl and the Olympics, brings a wealth of experience to the table. With contingency plans firmly in place for the Peacock-exclusive game, fans can expect a seamless viewing experience.
Industry Confidence
Executives express confidence in their venture into exclusive streaming territory. "Obviously, we’re taking a big step forward here with Peacock," said Hans Schroeder, underlining the significance of the shift towards digital platforms. His sentiments were echoed by Rick Cordella, who added, "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 further highlighted NBC Sports' extensive track record in streaming high-profile sporting events, including the Super Bowl, World Cup, Olympics, and WrestleMania, not to mention regular coverage of the Premier League and Sunday Night Football. "This is not new territory for us," he assured, "and I have confidence that our product and tech teams will deliver a great experience for the viewers Saturday evening."
Looking Ahead
The stage is set for what promises to be an electrifying Wild Card Weekend, with games scheduled across Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. As the NFL continues to expand its digital footprint, the success of this weekend's games could very well redefine how audiences engage with one of America's most beloved sports. Whether tuning in via traditional broadcast or joining the streaming revolution, millions of fans across the nation are gearing up for a feast of football action that could write a new chapter in the history of the sport's viewership.
