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NFL Playoffs and Conference Championships Break Viewership Records

SportsNFL Playoffs and Conference Championships Break Viewership Records

Record-Breaking Viewership Marks NFL Postseason Glory

In a triumph for the National Football League (NFL), the television audiences for the NFL playoffs and recent conference championship games have reached historic highs, setting a new benchmark in viewership dating back to 1988.

Surging Numbers: A Viewership Milestone

According to data provided by the league and Nielsen, the first three weekends of the postseason collectively averaged an impressive 38.5 million viewers across both television and digital platforms. This marks a remarkable 9% increase from the previous year, underscoring the enduring appeal and popularity of the NFL.

AFC Championship: Chiefs vs. Ravens Shatters Records

The clash between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC championship game witnessed a groundbreaking viewership of 55.47 million on CBS. This remarkable figure not only secured its place as the most-watched AFC championship game but also surpassed the previous record set in the 2010 season. The audience peaked at an astonishing 64.02 million, making it CBS’ most-watched non-Super Bowl program since the 1994 Winter Olympics.

NFC Championship: 49ers vs. Lions Thrills Audiences

In the NFC championship game, the San Francisco 49ers’ comeback victory against the Detroit Lions on Fox drew an average of 56.69 million viewers, marking the most-watched NFC championship game since 2012. The game reached its peak viewership of 58.97 million during the thrilling fourth quarter. This also stands as the fourth-watched non-Super Bowl telecast in the history of the Fox network.

Overall Surge: A Viewership Jump

The cumulative average viewership for the conference championships reached an impressive 56.1 million, showcasing an 11% surge from the previous year. CBS, which is gearing up to host the Super Bowl on February 11, is enjoying an average of 45.61 million for its postseason games, marking its highest average since the NFL’s return to the network in 1998 and a noteworthy 12% increase from the previous year.

The National Football League’s (NFL) playoffs and conference championship games pulled in their highest television audiences on record dating back to 1988.

Confirmed:

  • First three weekends of the postseason averaged 38.5 million viewers on television and digital platforms, a nine per cent increase on last season
  • Kanas City Chiefs’ win over Baltimore Ravens averaged 55.47 million on CBS, becoming the most-watched American Football Conference (AFC) championship game ever
  • Game peaked at 64.02 million, making it CBS’ most-watched non-Super Bowl programme since the 1994 Winter Olympics in primetime on 25th February
  • San Francisco 49ers’ victory against Detroit Lions averaged 56.69 million on Fox, the most-watched National Football Conference (NFC) championship game since 2012
  • 49ers versus Lions peaked at 58.97 million
  • The 56.1 million average for the conference championships is up 11 per cent on last year
  • CBS is averaging 45.61 million for its postseason games, a jump of 12 per cent on last season and the broadcaster’s highest since it reclaimed NFL rights in 1998

Context:

Viewership for the playoffs and championship games are the latest audience milestones for the NFL this season. The league ended its regular season with the best average viewership for games since 2017 with 17.9 million viewers, up seven per cent on the previous year.

Amazon’s coverage of the Seattle Seahawks and the Dallas Cowboys also broke the record for the most-streamed regular season NFL game in history, before NBC’s Peacock’s exclusive broadcast of the Chiefs’ playoff victory over the Miami Dolphins became the most-streamed live event ever in the US.

In addition, the league’s games made up 93 of the top 100 most-viewed US TV programmes in 2023, an increase from the 2022 total of 82.

Coming next:

CBS will broadcast Super Bowl LVIII on 11th February and will be aiming to beat the viewership numbers for last year’s game. The clash between the Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles scored an average audience of 113 million domestic viewers across Fox’s linear and digital channels, making it the most-watched NFL game since 2017.

Summary

The NFL playoffs and conference championship games have not only maintained but exceeded their status as a cultural phenomenon, breaking viewership records and captivating audiences across the nation. The surge in numbers demonstrates the unwavering allure of football, reinforcing the sport’s place at the pinnacle of American entertainment.

Conclusion

As the NFL continues to redefine the boundaries of viewership, the record-breaking numbers from the playoffs and conference championships underscore the league’s resilience and enduring popularity. With the Super Bowl on the horizon, these unprecedented figures set an optimistic tone for the culmination of the football season.

FAQs: Unveiling the Record-Breaking NFL Viewership

Q1: What is the significance of the recent NFL viewership records?

The recent NFL viewership records signify historic highs, with the postseason and conference championships collectively attracting 38.5 million viewers, marking a 9% increase from the previous year.

Q2: Which AFC championship game set a new viewership record?

The Kansas City Chiefs’ 17-10 victory over the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC championship game set a new viewership record, averaging 55.47 million viewers on CBS.

Q3: How did the NFC championship game between the 49ers and Lions perform in terms of viewership?

The NFC championship game between the San Francisco 49ers and Detroit Lions on Fox drew an average of 56.69 million viewers, marking the most-watched NFC championship game since 2012.

Q4: What is the cumulative average viewership for the conference championships?

The cumulative average viewership for the conference championships reached an impressive 56.1 million, showcasing an 11% surge from the previous year.

Q5: How has CBS performed in terms of postseason viewership and what is its outlook for the Super Bowl?

CBS is enjoying an average of 45.61 million for its postseason games, marking its highest average since the NFL’s return to the network in 1998. The network is gearing up to host the Super Bowl on February 11 with optimistic expectations.

Sources:

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