NFL Ratings Remain Strong Amid Trump-Harris Election Season

The NFL has shown resilience in its ratings during the Trump-Harris election season, with early indicators suggesting a stronger performance compared to previous election years. NBC's season opener, featuring the Chiefs' dramatic victory over the Ravens, achieved record viewership, attracting 8.9 million viewers. Over the first two weeks, NBC's Sunday Night Football averaged 24.1 million viewers, the highest since 2015, while CBS and Fox also reported their best starts in years. Despite the historical trend of declining ratings during election years, Monday Night Football has managed to maintain a solid audience, with the Falcons-Eagles matchup drawing over 15 million viewers, marking ESPN's third-best viewership for a non-simulcast game since the 2019-20 season. This is a notable improvement, as Monday Night Football had struggled in past election cycles. The NFL's ratings are expected to dip as the election approaches, but analysts predict a smaller decline than in 2016 and 2020, where ratings fell by 8 and 7 percent, respectively. Factors contributing to this stability include a less intense public interest in the current election compared to previous ones and the efforts of new ESPN leadership to strengthen ties with the league. While some platforms like Amazon Prime's Thursday Night Football experienced a slight drop in viewership, the overall trend indicates that the NFL remains a significant draw for audiences, even amidst a politically charged environment. The league's ability to engage viewers during this time reflects its enduring popularity and the effectiveness of its programming strategies.