Despite nearing a record-high on NFL Network, the Pro Football Hall of Fame induction sank to a multi-year low.
The Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony earned a 0.7 rating and 1.18 million viewers across ESPN and NFL Network Saturday night, down a tick in ratings and 8% in viewership from last year opposite the Olympics (0.8, 1.29M) and down 22% and 9% respectively from 2015 (0.9, 1.30M).
It was the least-watched ceremony since 2014 (1.10M).
Though low overall, viewership hit a near-record on NFL Network. The league-owned channel pulled a 0.31 rating (+11%) and 486,000 viewers (+8%), its second-largest audience for the Enshrinement Ceremony behind only 2011 (513K). NFL Network accounted for 41% of the total audience, compared to 35% last year and in 2015.
ESPN’s coverage delivered a 0.43 rating (-23%) and 697,000 viewers (-17%), its lowest rated and least-watched Enshrinement Ceremony since at least 2012.
[Numbers from NFL Network, Programming Insider 8.8]
