The opening act of the 2024 NFL season did not disappoint, capturing the hearts and screens of fans nationwide.
A Record-Breaking Kickoff
NBC has announced that Thursday night’s sizzling matchup between the Ravens and the Chiefs drew an average viewership of a staggering 28.9 million fans. This blockbuster game shattered records, becoming the most-watched NFL Kickoff game since the league began this Thursday night tradition. For those keeping score, that’s a 5% increase over last year’s opener featuring the Chiefs and the Lions, watched by 27.5 million viewers.
Local Markets on Fire
Kansas City, unsurprisingly, topped the local markets with an eye-popping 43.4 local rating and an 80 share. Imagine 80 percent of all televisions in use on Thursday night in Kansas City were cheering on the Chiefs! Not to be outdone, Baltimore showed up strong as well, posting a 24.5 rating and a 60 share.
Defying Trends and Breaking Norms
As we cruise towards an election year, many television networks brace for a potential ratings dip, expecting viewers to choose news over sports. However, the NFL continues to be an ironclad force in American television, defying the typical viewership declines caused by cord-cutting, streaming, and the ever-fracturing TV audience. The grandeur with which the 2024 season started is evidence of the league’s undying charisma.
Highlights and Heart-Stopping Moments
From the first whistle, the Ravens and Chiefs delivered a nail-biter of a show. The game’s dynamism was akin to watching Titans clash at The Coliseum, full of grit and gusto. Patrick Mahomes’s dazzling scramble in the third quarter was nothing short of poetic, like a ballet dancer pirouetting through a rainstorm of defenders. And let’s not forget Lamar Jackson’s electrifying 50-yard touchdown pass in the fourth—an outright spectacle that had every viewer on the edge of their seats.
NFL’s Invincible Allure
The passion for football in America is akin to a timeless, heart-thumping love affair, immune to the passage of time and changes in technology. The start of the 2024 season, with its record viewership, is a fitting testament to this unrivaled allure. As we gear up for the rest of the season, one thing is for sure: the NFL continues to reign supreme as the unbeatable champion of American television.
