The stage is set for a potentially historic NFL Wild Card Weekend, as the league braces for what could be record-breaking viewership numbers. The excitement is palpable, with fans eagerly anticipating a series of high-stakes matchups that promise to deliver thrilling football action.
Viewership Records in Sight
One game in particular has the potential to etch its way into the annals of NFL history: the upcoming clash between the Detroit Lions and the Los Angeles Rams. This showdown has all the makings of a classic and could very well surpass the most-watched Wild Card game on record—a 2015 face-off between the Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys that captivated 42 million viewers. Last year's nail-biter between the San Francisco 49ers and Dallas Cowboys came close, drawing an impressive 41.5 million viewers—the highest in seven years. With the Lions' next game poised to eclipse these figures, the anticipation is building.
Consistently, Wild Card Weekend games have proven to be a magnet for viewers, consistently attracting at least 25 million viewers. In the previous year, the New York Giants vs Minnesota Vikings matchup led the pack with an audience of 33.21 million, while the Jacksonville Jaguars vs Los Angeles Chargers contest also drew a significant crowd, boasting over 20 million viewers. Additionally, the Dallas Cowboys once again found themselves among the top five most-watched games of the 2023 Wild Card Weekend, this time against Washington, pulling in 21.73 million viewers—a figure matched by the Buffalo Bills vs Miami Dolphins game.
Digital Platforms Gain Traction
As traditional TV viewership remains robust, digital platforms are also making significant strides. Amazon Prime's Thursday Night Football broadcasts saw a substantial increase in viewership, jumping by 24 percent to average 11.86 million viewers. This trend signifies a shift in how audiences consume sports content, with streaming services becoming increasingly popular.
In a move that further underscores this shift, the Kansas City Chiefs vs Miami Dolphins game will stream exclusively on Peacock, NBCUniversal Media Group's streaming service. NBC Sports, a division of the same group, is no stranger to streaming major sporting events, having previously delivered live coverage of the Super Bowl, the Olympics, and other high-profile events like the World Cup and WrestleMania. With such experience under their belt, the decision to make an NFL playoff game available solely on Peacock reflects confidence in their digital broadcasting capabilities.
Peacock's exclusive streaming of the highly anticipated game is backed by contingency plans, ensuring that viewers will receive the best possible experience. As part of the Wild Card Weekend schedule, fans can look forward to matchups spread across Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, catering to the varied preferences of NFL enthusiasts.
Industry Confidence in Digital Streaming
Key figures within the industry have expressed optimism about the direction in which NFL broadcasting is heading. "Obviously, we’re taking a big step forward here with Peacock," said Hans Schroeder, acknowledging the significance of the platform's exclusive broadcast rights. He continued, "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, another prominent voice, echoed this sentiment, stating, "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 added, "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."
The move towards digital-exclusive broadcasts represents a pivotal moment for sports media, as it aligns with the evolving consumption habits of a global audience. The success of this weekend's games—both on traditional television and streaming platforms—will likely serve as a barometer for the future of sports broadcasting. With the NFL at the forefront of this evolution, the Wild Card Weekend may just mark the beginning of a new era in how fans engage with their favorite sports.
As the countdown to kickoff continues, all eyes will be on the NFL to see if the Wild Card Weekend can indeed break viewership records and set a new standard for how the world watches sports.