The NFL's Wild Card Weekend has historically been a magnet for viewership, with millions tuning in to witness the high-stakes elimination games that set the tone for the road to the Super Bowl. As teams gear up for another round of intense competition, projections suggest that this year could see record-breaking numbers of football fans glued to their screens.
A Look Back at Past Records
The 2015 face-off between the Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys still holds the title for the most-watched Wild Card game, drawing an impressive audience of 42 million. However, recent matchups have come close to breaking this record. Notably, the San Francisco 49ers' clash with the Cowboys in 2022 captivated 41.5 million viewers, marking the highest viewership in seven years for a Wild Card game.
As we approach the latest series of games, the buzz surrounding the Detroit Lions' upcoming battle against the Los Angeles Rams suggests that we may be on the cusp of a new viewership milestone. With predictions indicating that Wild Card Weekend games will attract at least 25 million viewers each, the stage is set for potentially groundbreaking television ratings.
Last Year's Viewership Highlights
Last season's Wild Card Weekend was no slouch in the ratings department either. The New York Giants' showdown with the Minnesota Vikings led the pack with 33.21 million viewers. Meanwhile, over 20 million fans watched the Jacksonville Jaguars take on the Los Angeles Chargers. Additionally, the contest between Dallas and Washington commanded the attention of 21.73 million viewers, securing its place in the top five most-viewed games for the weekend—a distinction it shared with the Buffalo versus Miami game, which also attracted 21.73 million viewers.
Streaming Success and Exclusive Coverage
The landscape of sports broadcasting is evolving, with streaming platforms gaining significant traction. Amazon Prime's Thursday Night Football is a testament to this shift, as it saw a 24 percent increase in viewership, averaging 11.86 million viewers. This growing appetite for digital consumption of live sports is paving the way for more exclusive streaming deals.
This year, the Kansas City Chiefs' matchup against the Miami Dolphins will stream exclusively on Peacock, NBCUniversal Media Group's streaming service. Peacock is no stranger to delivering major sporting events to audiences, having previously streamed the Super Bowl, the Olympics, and other high-profile events. With contingency plans firmly in place, Peacock is poised to provide a seamless viewing experience for what promises to be an electrifying game.
Executives within the industry are optimistic about the potential of exclusive streaming. Hans Schroeder, an executive at the league's media operations, expressed his enthusiasm: "Obviously, we’re taking a big step forward here with Peacock." He further emphasized the confidence stemming from prior experiences, saying, "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 key figure in the sports broadcasting sphere, echoed this sentiment by highlighting the company's extensive track record in streaming prominent sports events. "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 noted. Cordella also assured fans of the platform's preparedness: "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."
Wild Card Weekend Schedule
As tradition dictates, the Wild Card Weekend will feature games across Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. This scheduling not only accommodates a broad range of viewer availability but also maximizes the exposure for each game, allowing fans to immerse themselves fully in the playoff atmosphere.
With the NFL continuing to expand its digital footprint through strategic partnerships with streaming services, and with traditional broadcast numbers holding strong, all signs point to a Wild Card Weekend that could very well rewrite the history books in terms of viewership. Whether on cable or via streaming, one thing remains certain: football fans nationwide are bracing for an unforgettable kickoff to the NFL playoffs.