The landscape of NFL viewership is on the cusp of a historic moment as anticipation builds for the Wild Card Weekend, which has consistently captivated millions of football fans across the nation. The Detroit Lions versus Dallas Cowboys clash back in 2015 set an impressive benchmark, drawing an audience of 42 million—the highest for a Wild Card game to date. However, recent trends suggest that this record could be in jeopardy.
Last year's showdown between the San Francisco 49ers and the Dallas Cowboys came tantalizingly close to eclipsing that high-water mark, amassing 41.5 million viewers, the most significant turnout in seven years. With the Detroit Lions set to face off against the Los Angeles Rams, there's a palpable buzz that this matchup could attract enough viewers to rewrite the history books once again.
Expectations for viewership numbers are bullish, with projections indicating that each game during the Wild Card Weekend should entice at least 25 million viewers. To put this into perspective, the New York Giants' tussle with the Minnesota Vikings was last year's most-watched Wild Card contest, attracting 33.21 million viewers. Meanwhile, over 20 million tuned in to witness the Jacksonville Jaguars take on the Los Angeles Chargers.
The Washington Football Team's battle with the Dallas Cowboys also made waves, securing a spot in the top five most-viewed games of the 2023 Wild Card Weekend, with 21.73 million viewers—a figure matched by the Buffalo Bills' encounter with the Miami Dolphins.
Rising Popularity of Streaming Services
Streaming platforms are carving out a significant niche in sports broadcasting, as evidenced by Amazon Prime's Thursday Night Football, which saw a 24 percent surge in viewership, averaging 11.86 million viewers. This shift towards digital consumption of sports content is further underscored by the decision to stream the Kansas City Chiefs versus Miami Dolphins game exclusively on Peacock, NBCUniversal Media Group's streaming service.
NBC Sports, no stranger to delivering live sports through online channels, has previously streamed major events such as the Super Bowl, the Olympics, and other prominent sporting spectacles. The move to offer exclusive content on Peacock demonstrates the industry's confidence in the platform's ability to handle marquee events and reflects a broader trend of sports migrating to streaming services.
Despite the excitement surrounding the exclusive stream, contingency plans are in place to ensure a seamless viewing experience for what could be a landmark event in sports broadcasting.
Industry Confidence in Digital Transition
The transition to digital platforms is not taken lightly, and industry veterans have voiced their optimism about the shift. "Obviously, we’re taking a big step forward here with Peacock," said Hans Schroeder, expressing the boldness of the initiative. He elaborated on the decision, saying, "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."
Rick Cordella, echoing his colleague's sentiments, cited NBC Sports' extensive portfolio of streamed 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." His confidence stems from the company's proven track record in the digital arena, assuring fans that "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
As the NFL Playoffs approach, the stage is set for a potentially record-breaking Wild Card Weekend. With traditional television viewership holding strong and streaming platforms gaining ground, the NFL continues to expand its reach, offering fans more ways than ever to engage with their favorite sport. The matchups scheduled for Saturday, Sunday, and Monday promise to deliver thrilling football action to an audience that's eager to witness every play, tackle, and touchdown. If the predictions hold true, this Wild Card Weekend could very well go down in history as one of the most watched in NFL history.