Friday, October 2, 2026
  • -
    days
  • -
    hours
  • -
    minutes
  • -
    seconds

CBS Nets 13-Year High in September NFL Viewership

  • This month’s NFL on CBS broadcasts averaged 18.69 million viewers, the network’s best September NFL viewership in 13 years.
  • Chiefs-Bears was the most-watched NFL game on any network this week — averaging 24.3 million viewers on FOX.
Chiefs-Bears was the most-watched NFL game on any network this week — averaging 24.3 million viewers on FOX.
Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

Want more from Front Office Sports
in your search results?

Add Front Office Sports on Google

Sunday’s NFL on CBS coverage, which featured Patriots-Jets, was the most-watched September single-header broadcast for CBS Sports in 12 years.

The Patriots-Jets window drew 17.5 million viewers for CBS, up 19% over Week 3 last season. This season’s first three weeks of NFL games on CBS averaged 18.69 million viewers, giving CBS its best September NFL viewership in 13 years.

FOX’s Week 3 late afternoon national broadcast window, which began Sunday with Bears-Chiefs before shifting to Cardinals-Cowboys, had 24.3 million viewers as the most-watched telecast of the week across any network. 

With Taylor Swift sitting next to Donna Kelce at Arrowhead Stadium amid the pop star’s rumored relationship with her son, Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, the broadcast window for Fox ranked first among last week’s demographics for women aged 12-49. Fox had an 8.1% ratings increase for the female 12-17 demo in its Week 3 national broadcast window over Week 2, according to Sports TV Ratings.

Overall, Swift’s presence in Kansas City did not result in a year-over-year ratings jump for Fox. Sunday’s 24.3 million viewers was less than last season’s Week 3 national broadcast window on Fox, which mostly featured Packers-Buccaneers (Aaron Rodgers vs. Tom Brady) and had 26.4 million viewers.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sign up for
The Memo Newsletter

Get the biggest stories and best analysis on the business of sports delivered to your inbox twice every weekday and twice on weekends.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

NFL Brazil Game Nabs Record Audience

CBS said that the game averaged 24.9 million viewers.
Rob Gronkowski Front Office Sports

Rob Gronkowski Explains Terry Bradshaw’s Viral McBride Moment

Gronkowski says the Hall of Fame quarterback was in on the joke.
Sep 20, 2026; Arlington, Texas, USA; Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) leaps to avoid a tackle by Dallas Cowboys safety Caleb Downs (13) while running with the ball during the second half at AT&T Stadium.

NFL Viewership Bounces Back in Week 2

Last Sunday’s NFL games each showed sizable viewership increases.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

10/2/26 – ‘Inside the NBA’ Expands, CFP Nears 24 Teams, Wemby Rejects Betting Deals

0:00

Featured Today

How the Baseball Cap Became a ‘Behemoth’

The hat has become essential for athletes, fans, and the sports-agnostic.
Morishita-Sato-homerun-celebration-at-Meiji-Jingu-Baseball-Staidum-2025
September 28, 2026

Japanese Baseball Is Fighting Back Against MLB Talent Drain

Nippon Professional Baseball is reimagining how to be a global juggernaut.
Aug 9, 2026; Bedminster, New Jersey, USA; President Donald Trump walks out of the clubhouse during the final round of the LIV Golf New York tournament at Trump National Bedminster.
September 25, 2026

Trump’s Year of Sports Gets Busier With CFB, Presidents Cup

The impact of Trump’s attendance varies across each sporting event.
A Bar of Their Own
September 25, 2026

Women’s Sports Bars: Novelty Has Worn Off, ‘That’s a Good Thing’

They’re leveling up, but sustainability remains the first consideration.
Hot & Social/Mets
September 18, 2026

Sports Teams Are Playing a New Role: Matchmaker

The latest promotion at the stadium? Love.

Trail Blazers Fire Announcer Over Insensitive Teenage Tweets

The firing came the same day the Blazers announced Braiden Bell’s hiring
Detroit Cass Tech players warm up ahead of a high school football game against rival Detroit King at Cass Technical High School in Detroit on Friday, Sept. 25, 2026. The Detroit skyline is seen in the background.
September 30, 2026

$399 Rivals Evaluations Test What a Recruiting Ranking Is Worth

Coaches are split on whether rankings still matter in recruiting.
Atlanta, GA - March 7, 2026 - Turner Studios: Shaquille O'Neal , Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith, and Charles Barkley during the 2026 NBA marketing campaign featuring Inside the NBA on ESPN.
October 1, 2026

Barkley Gets His Wish: More ‘Inside the NBA’ on ESPN This Season

Charles Barkley publicly complained about the show’s previous ESPN schedule.
Sponsored

Beyond the Scorecard: How Dow Is Putting Purpose at the Center of Women’s Golf

Discover how Dow and the LPGA are building a partnership with lasting impact.
Texas quarterback Arch Manning (16) during a college football game between Tennessee and Texas at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Sept. 26, 2026.
September 30, 2026

College Football Viewership Down 11% Through September vs. 2025

FBS game broadcasts are averaging 1.7 million viewers.
September 29, 2026

U.S. Presidents Cup Comeback Delivers Viewership Boost for NBC

NBC drew two million viewers for the final round.
Jun 16, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Spectrum SportsNet LA play-by-play announcer Joe Davis watches batting practice before the game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Tampa Bay Rays at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
September 29, 2026

Joe Davis Still Has Vin Scully’s Advice ‘Ringing in My Ears’

Davis is preparing to call his fifth World Series for Fox.
Dec 29, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; The Sacramento Kings logo on the shorts of forward Domantas Sabonis (10) during the game against the Atlanta Hawks during the second half at State Farm Arena.
September 29, 2026

Kings Reporters Caught Discussing Player Attractiveness on Hot Mic

The incident took place at the Kings’ media day on Monday.