With Browns games a noted exception, NFL preseason ratings took a hit this year.
NFL preseason games averaged 2.35 million viewers across NBC, CBS, FOX, ESPN and NFL Network, down 9% from last year (2.57M), but up 4% from 2016, when several games aired opposite the Summer Olympics (2.27M).
On Thursday, NFL Network drew 756,000 viewers for Browns-Lions — up 7% from last year (Rams-Packers: 707K) but down 29% from 2016 (Patriots-Giants: 1.1M). Every Browns game this preseason was nationally televised and all four posted an increase in viewership.
The Broncos-Cardinals nightcap had 606,000, virtually even with last year (Seahawks-Raiders: 607K) but down 29% from 2016 (Seahawks-Raiders: 856K). It was the least-watched game of the preseason, no surprise given it was the final night of games.
Outside of the Browns, preseason viewership largely declined. Of the 14 non-Browns games that can be compared to last year, only three* posted an increase in viewership. With Browns games excluded, preseason viewership fell 18 percent from last year (2.85M to 2.32M) — double the overall decline.
* ESPN’s August 16 Jets-Washington game posted a 0.1% increase over last year, but it should be noted that this year’s numbers include streaming and last year’s do not.
[Thu. numbers from ShowBuzz Daily 8.31; averages compiled by SMW]
