NFL’s television ratings rebound was confirmed with news that its broadcasts rose five per cent in viewership from 2017 to 2018.
The average game in 2018 drew 15.8 million viewers, compared with 14.9 million the year before.
Experts have attributed the rise to: the success of big-market teams such as the Dallas Cowboys, the Chicago Bears and both Los Angeles teams (the Rams and the Chargers); increased scoring during games; the arrival of new stars such as Lamar Jackson, Patrick Mahomes and Baker Mayfield; and fewer national anthem protests.
Notably, average digital viewership rose 86 per cent, thanks in part to 13 Thursday night games being streamed on Amazon Prime.