The National Football League just wrapped its 2025 regular season with an eye-popping average of 18.7 million viewers per game, the second highest in history behind only 1989. This 10 percent jump from 2024 highlights the league’s unyielding grip on American audiences, driven by thrilling matchups and expanded streaming access across the United States.
Network Performances Soar
NBC’s Sunday Night Football led the pack with a record 23.5 million average viewers, up nine percent from the prior year. This beat its 2015 high of 22.5 million.
CBS followed closely, averaging 21.25 million viewers overall, an 11 percent increase and its best ever. Late Sunday slots drew 25.83 million on average.
Fox saw six percent growth to 19.6 million average viewers, its strongest since 2015. Its late afternoon games averaged 25.3 million.
Streaming and Prime Time Gains
Amazon’s Thursday Night Football averaged 15.33 million viewers, up 16 percent and a new high for the package. Christmas Day’s Broncos-Chiefs game hit 21.06 million.
ESPN’s Monday Night Football drew 15.8 million on average, a nine percent rise and second best in two decades. Including extra games, it reached 16.5 million.
Peacock contributed with 2.5 million average minute audience for Sunday nights, up 17 percent.
Standout Games and Milestones
- Thanksgiving’s Chiefs-Cowboys clash on CBS drew 57.23 million viewers, shattering regular season records.
- Eight Sunday Night Football games topped 25 million viewers, a new benchmark for NBC.
- CBS claimed four of the top seven most-watched games of the year.
Behind the Numbers
A shift in measurement helped. Nielsen’s new Big Data + Panel system incorporated out-of-home viewing for fuller accuracy, boosting reported figures.
Close contests kept fans hooked. Nearly 50 games decided in the final two minutes, more than ever at that point.
Younger demographics flocked to streaming, with Amazon audiences seven years younger than traditional TV viewers.
Lasting Impact on Sports Media
This surge cements the NFL’s role as TV’s top draw, outpacing other sports and entertainment. It signals a blend of traditional broadcasting and digital platforms reshaping how fans consume games.
Experts note this growth defies cord-cutting trends, thanks to star power and high-stakes drama.
As playoffs kick off, anticipation builds for potential new records in wildcard matchups like Bears-Packers. This dominance ensures the NFL remains a cultural powerhouse, influencing media deals and fan engagement for years ahead.
