Fueled by a massive first round, the 2014 NFL Draft set records on ESPN and NFL Network.
The NFL Draft averaged a record 3.5 U.S. rating and 5.4 million viewers on ESPN/ESPN2 and NFL Network, according to Nielsen fast-nationals obtained by Sports Business Daily. The event increased by 31% in ratings and 35% in viewership over last year (2.7, 4.0M).
In particular, coverage on ESPN/ESPN2 averaged a 2.7 and 4.1 million viewers — up 31% in ratings and 36% in viewership from last year (2.1, 3.0M) and up 35% and 41%, respectively, from 2012 (2.0, 2.9M). The 2.7 rating is tied as the highest for the NFL Draft on the ESPN family of networks since at least 1992, matching 1993. Viewership was the highest ever, topping the previous mark set in 2010 (3.7M).
ESPN earned a 6.1 and 9.9 million viewers for first round coverage, easily its highest rated and most-viewed NFL Draft telecast ever. The second and third round earned a 1.9 and 2.8 million on ESPN and ESPN2 Friday night, and the remaining rounds earned a 1.5 and 1.9 million on ESPN Saturday afternoon.
NFL Network averaged a 0.8 and 1.2 million for its coverage, up 27% in ratings and 33% in viewership from last year (0.6, 931K) and a network record. Like ESPN, NFL Network had its top draft telecast ever on Thursday night, as first round coverage earned 2.4 million viewers. Friday’s coverage earned 1.2 million; viewership was unavailable for Saturday’s conclusion.
(This year’s numbers from Sports Business Daily, NFL Communications, ESPN Media Zone; additional info from The Futon Critic)
