The second season of “Thursday Night Football” on Amazon Prime Video has taken the sports streaming world by storm, achieving an unprecedented milestone with the most-streamed NFL game in history.
In an exhilarating clash, the Philadelphia Eagles secured a thrilling 34-28 victory over the Minnesota Vikings, captivating the hearts of millions of viewers. According to Nielsen’s ratings, the game garnered an average of 15.1 million viewers, surpassing the previous year’s inaugural game between the Los Angeles Chargers and the Kansas City Chiefs, which had attracted 13 million viewers.
However, it’s worth noting that Amazon’s first-party data painted an even more impressive picture, estimating the average audience at 16.6 million, a noticeable uptick from the 15.3 million viewers who tuned in for last year’s opener.
It’s important to acknowledge the discrepancies that emerged last year when comparing Nielsen’s ratings to Amazon’s data. At times, these variations reached 15-18%. In response to these disparities, Nielsen had initially integrated some of Amazon’s data into its ratings report, although TV networks raised objections.
Hans Schroeder, the executive vice president of NFL Media, emphasized the league’s commitment to identifying the most accurate measurement of viewership. He highlighted the potential of streaming platforms to enhance data capture and provide a more precise understanding of the NFL’s audience.
“The fact that streaming platforms enable better data capture we think can augment what Nielsen already does. They can get the most accurate picture of who’s watching our games and our content,” Schroeder explained. “That’s our focus and will continue to be our focus. We’ll continue to work with Nielsen and our partners, all our partners, to do that.”
As the digital landscape continues to reshape the way we consume sports content, Amazon Prime Video’s record-breaking start to the “Thursday Night Football” season underscores the growing influence of streaming platforms in the realm of sports broadcasting.
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