[ad_1]
New Orleans Saints No.9 Drew Brees dives into the end zone to score a one-yard touchdown against the Chicago Bears in the fourth quarter during the NFC Wild Card Playoff game at the Mercedes Benz Superdome on Jan.10, 2021 in New Orleans Orleans, Louisiana.
Chris Graythen | Getty Images
The National Football League came out the door swinging for its playoff debutants, led by ViacomCBS Sports and the Nickelodeon simulcast, which drew more than 30 million viewers combined.
Sunday’s CBS airing between the New Orleans Saints and Chicago Bears drew around 30 million viewers, and its children’s version on Nickelodeon drew around 2 million, becoming the “most watched program by total viewers. Nickelodeon viewers for almost four years, ”the network said.
The NFL’s attempt to engage young viewers has garnered praise for its Nickelodeon-themed digital effects and social media commentary. The game saw the Saints beat the Bears, 21-9, and even Saints coach Sean Payton got slashed on Nickelodeon in the postgame.
On Sunday, the NBC Sports Pittsburgh Steelers-Cleveland Browns contest also averaged 26 million across all platforms and 24.8 million viewers on NBC and peaked at 27.6 million viewers around 9:15 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. 30. The network said it was the most-watched prime-time TV show since Super Bowl LIV last February.
The Browns beat the Steelers, 48-37, for the club’s first playoff victory since 1995. And it could be the last time longtime quarterback Ben Roethlisberger wears the Steelers uniform.
Ben Roethlisberger # 7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers in action against Adrian Clayborn # 94 of the Cleveland Browns on January 11, 2021 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Justin K. Go | Getty Images
Roethlisberger, who threw four interceptions in the game, will be a $ 41 million salary cap for the team next season, suggesting the Steelers could part ways with the 38-year-old, who turns 39 in March .
Saturday’s NBC playoff game, featuring another longtime quarterback who switched teams, Tom Brady, averaged 21.4 million viewers as they watched the Tampa Bay Buccaneers beat the Washington football team.
Brady and Saints quarterback Drew Brees will face off for the third time this season, as the Saints host the Bucs this weekend. The duo helped Fox Sports attract more than 25 million viewers in their first Week 1 contest.
Fox said his Saturday game between the Los Angeles Rams and the Seattle Seahawks attracted an average of 23.9 million viewers to his channel. ESPN has grossed 24.8 million viewers for its Baltimore Ravens-Tennessee Titans mega-distribution. The Disney-owned network aired the game on its ABC and ESPN channels.
[ad_2]
Source link