What's Happening?
The Sunday Night Football game between the Packers and Cowboys ended in a 40-40 tie and attracted an average of 26.9 million viewers, according to NBC Sports. This game ranks as the third-most-watched NFL game of the season, following the Super Bowl rematch between the Chiefs and Eagles and the league's kickoff game between the Cowboys and Eagles. The Packers-Cowboys matchup also became the most-watched overtime game in NBC's Sunday Night Football history. The pregame show, Football Night in America, was broadcast on-site from Arlington and achieved its highest viewership since October 2021, with 11.4 million viewers.
Why It's Important?
The high viewership numbers for the Packers-Cowboys game underscore the enduring popularity of the NFL and its ability to draw large audiences, even for regular-season games. This trend is significant for broadcasters like NBC, as it highlights the value of live sports in attracting viewers and advertisers. The increase in viewership for Sunday Night Football, up 6% from the previous year, suggests a strong start to the season and potential for continued growth. This could lead to increased advertising revenue and further investment in NFL broadcasting rights.