The numbers are in for the 2024 debut of Thursday Night Football. The audience was strong despite a stinker of a game, with an average audience of 14.96 million.
A Tale of Two Thursdays: Bills vs. Dolphins
The Bills-Dolphins showdown, although not the most riveting contest, pulled solid viewership numbers, hitting an average of 14.96 million. That’s just a smidge down from last year’s Week 2 TNF between the Vikings and the Eagles, which brought in 15.05 million. But hey, there’s no shame in that drop. After all, last night’s game wasn’t exactly a nail-biter.
Peak Moments and Record-Breaking Heights
The game saw a peak audience of a whopping 18.09 million between 9:15 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. ET, marking an all-time high for TNF on Amazon Prime. This was the critical juncture when the game was still anyone’s guess. The excitement was palpable, like the seconds before a pisco sour hits the tongue – full of anticipation.
The Big Picture: Streaming vs. Traditional TV
Despite the relatively underwhelming gameplay, the Week 2 matchup trounced last year’s overall TNF average by a staggering 26%. Traditional network broadcasts might still have the upper hand, but streaming is steadily catching up, slowly but surely, like a tireless wide receiver closing in on the goal line. The gap will continue to narrow as newer generations – who know streaming like the back of their hands – take the baton from those who grew up with traditional TV.
Next Week’s Showdown: Jets vs. Patriots
Looking ahead, the numbers should keep soaring. Next week’s clash featuring Aaron Rodgers and the Jets hosting the Patriots promises to be a doozy. The Patriots, marching in with potentially a 2-0 record, and the Jets possibly desperate for a win at 0-2, will be sure to set the pitch. If there’s one thing we can count on, it’s that the drama in the NFL never fails to deliver.
The Streaming Ceiling: Future of Football Viewership
The great question hovering in the air is whether the ceiling for streaming can ever match the grand old TV’s heights. Right now, it’s like comparing a star quarterback in his rookie season to a legendary Hall of Famer. There’s promise, but the journey is long and filled with unknowns.
So gear up for another exhilarating week of Thursday Night Football. Whether you’re team old-school TV or a streaming aficionado, one thing’s for certain – the love for the game keeps us all united. Buckle up, because the NFL train is just picking up steam!
