Ratings Surge: NFL Is Up 17%, Averaging 17.3 Million Viewers
Oct 6, 2021, 3:18 PM
A detailed view of two NFL footballs with Baltimore Ravens logos are seen on the field before the preseason game between the Washington Football Team and the Baltimore Ravens at FedExField on August 28, 2021 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
(Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
AP – NFL and network executives expected ratings to increase this season. But the rate through the first four weeks has still taken many by surprise.
Games are averaging 17.3 million viewers on television and digital, a whopping 17% increase over last season and 3% compared to two years ago.
Whether or not the league can maintain that level of growth remains to be seen.
Strong viewership numbers continue through the quarter-mark of the 2021 @NFL season!
*17.3 million avg. viewers TV+Digital — up +17% YoY
*Top 21 shows on TV are @NFL games since start of the season
*Week 4 digital AMA avg. 764K — surpasses Week 1 to become highest on record pic.twitter.com/LJveeIRaDQ
— NFL Media (@NFLMedia) October 6, 2021
Last season was played during the pandemic, mostly in empty stadiums.
Also, many people’s viewing habits changed in a presidential election year.
Four of the five league broadcasters have growth above 20%.
