By Mummy Grace 
NFL Viewership Insights: A Closer Look at 2024 Trends
While conversations about declining sports viewership have often highlighted the NBA, the NFL experienced a modest 2% decline in year-over-year viewership from 2023. Yet, the league remains a dominant force in the American media landscape.
Key Stats:
- 187 million individuals watched at least one NFL game in 2024.
- Average viewership per regular-season game was 17.5 million, securing the NFL’s position as the second-highest-rated season since 2016, despite the slight drop.
- 90 of the top 100 U.S. television programs in 2024 were NFL games.
Thanksgiving Day and Standout Games
Thanksgiving continued its tradition of record-breaking numbers, with an NFC East rivalry between the New York Giants and Dallas Cowboys leading the season at 38.8 million viewers. The Chicago-Detroit matchup followed closely with 37.5 million viewers. Outside of Thanksgiving, Kansas City Chiefs games, featuring the back-to-back Super Bowl champions, drew massive ratings.
Broadcast Dynamics
The NFL’s broadcasting partners saw varying trends in 2024:
- Amazon Prime Video was the only broadcaster to increase viewership, signaling its growing prominence.
- Netflix joined the mix, airing Christmas Day games.
- Despite adding Tom Brady to its commentary team, FOX hit its lowest NFL viewership since 2020.
- ESPN’s Monday Night Countdown, with Jason Kelce as a new addition, saw a 5% increase in viewership.
Lions Celebrate with LiAngelo Ball’s Viral Hit
Detroit Lions players celebrated their dominant 31-9 win over the Minnesota Vikings, securing the NFC’s top playoff seed with a 15-2 record. During the locker room celebration, the team turned up to LiAngelo Ball’s viral rap song “Tweaker,” which has taken the sports world by storm.
The Viral Hit:
- Released two days prior, the song has already amassed 3 million YouTube views.
- Lions’ All-Pro wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown posted a video of the celebration with teammates vibing to the track.
Looking Ahead:
The Lions, led by St. Brown’s impressive stats (115 receptions, 1,263 yards, 12 TDs), enter the postseason with a first-round bye, eyeing their first-ever Super Bowl. The Vikings (14-3) now prepare for a wild-card showdown against the Los Angeles Rams.
From shifting media dynamics to locker room celebrations, the NFL continues to captivate its audience, proving why it remains the dominant force in American sports entertainment.