Thursday, April 23, 2026
FOS Expands to TV More Details

Amazon’s ‘TNF’ Debut Tops Thursday TV Shows

  • Nielsen says Amazon Prime Video averaged 13M viewers, including local TV markets.
  • Monster numbers more than double some estimates for Amazon first exclusive stream.
Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

The NFL already dominates TV — and it looks like streaming is next.

Based on its own first-party measurements and Nielsen, Amazon Prime Video announced that its first stream of “Thursday Night Football” averaged 15.3 million viewers.

Nielsen reported that the online giant’s stream of the Kansas City Chiefs’ 27-24 win over the Los Angeles Chargers averaged 13 million viewers, but either way, the NFL and Amazon started their exclusive 11-year deal — worth $1 billion a year — with a splash.

Amazon’s live stream generated more viewers than any other show on broadcast or cable TV Thursday night.

  • Amazon says “TNF” drew a 4.25 rating among adults in the 18-34 age group, tops for the week in that coveted demographic — and 18% higher than any NFL game this season.
  • The average viewer age was lowered to 47 from 54 compared to last year’s tri-cast on Fox, NFL Network, and Amazon.
  • It was the most-watched program of the night on broadcast or cable, beating the No. 2 show, “Young Sheldon” on CBS, by 271%.
  • Local telecasts in Los Angeles and Kansas City averaged 602,00 and 550,000 viewers, respectively.

Sign-Up Here, Please

Jay Marine, Amazon’s vice president in charge of Prime Video, wrote in an internal memo that its first “TNF” stream drew in a record number of Prime subscriptions.

The game brought in more signups in a three-hour period than any other day in company history, including Cyber Monday, Black Friday, and Prime Day, said Marine.

Last year, the NFL accounted for 48 of the 50 most-watched shows on linear TV.

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

Roger Goodell, Lucy Popko

Meet Roger Goodell’s NFL Draft Night Pronunciation Whisperer

Goodell announces the names of all 32 first-round picks.

Super Bowl in Pittsburgh? NFL Draft Has Locals Dreaming Big

Steelers owner Art Rooney II says a Super Bowl in Pittsburgh isn’t “off the table.”
Feb 8, 2026; Santa Clara, CA, USA; New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel walks on field before Super Bowl LX against the Seattle Seahawks at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
opinion

From Denials to Damage Control: Hubris Haunts Vrabel and Russini

New photos from 2020 show Vrabel and Russini appearing to kiss.

New Photos of Vrabel, Russini at NYC Bar Leak Hours Before Draft

The photos were taken at a New York City bar in 2020.

Featured Today

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 25: Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever sits on the baseline and makes photographs during the Indiana Pacers game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on March 25, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Why Athletes Are Moonlighting As Sports Photographers

Athletes are swapping courtside seats for sideline cameras.
Quinnipiac women's varsity rugby
April 21, 2026

The Death of Quinnipiac Women’s Varsity Rugby

The sudden decision at Ilona Maher’s alma mater left players blindsided.
April 17, 2026

The Lawyer Steering the NIL Era

In the new era of college sports, Darren Heitner is everywhere.
blake griffin
April 14, 2026

Inside Blake Griffin’s Rookie Season at Prime Video

The six-time All-Star was initially hesitant to enter the media space.
Apr 19, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) reacts to a call by an official during the second half of game one of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs against the Portland Trail Blazers at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images

NBA Playoffs Opening Weekend Is Second-Most-Watched Since 2011

The opening weekend of the NBA Playoffs averaged 4.3 million viewers.
exclusive
April 23, 2026

NWSL’s Midge Purce Says Her New Podcast Is ‘Not Chit-Chatting’

Purce is launching a new twice-monthly podcast with Vox Media.
Zaslav
April 23, 2026

WBD Shareholders Approve Sale, Reject Pay Package for Zaslav

The combined company would have one of the largest sets of sports rights in the industry.
Sponsored

Why Brandon Marshall Bet on Athlete-Owned Media

Brandon Marshall on athlete media, life after football, building I AM ATHLETE.
Feb 22, 2026; Milan, Italy; United States bench react after the game-winning goal is scored by Jack Hughes (not pictured) of the United States against Canada in the men's ice hockey gold medal game during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena.
April 23, 2026

Comcast Earnings Get Boost From Winter Olympics, Super Bowl

The NBC Sports parent company touts results from its “Legendary February.”
Jun 19, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) dribbles against the Golden State Valkyries during the fourth quarter at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
April 22, 2026

All 44 of Caitlin Clark’s Fever Games Will Be on National TV

This season marks the first of the WNBA’s new rights deal.
Feb 25, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel speaks during the NFL Scouting Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
April 22, 2026

How the Patriots Are Stage-Managing the Vrabel-Russini Fallout

Vrabel says he’ll begin counseling this weekend.
Apr 10, 2026; Sacramento, California, USA; Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr looks on against the Sacramento Kings during the first quarter at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Edwards-Imagn Images
April 22, 2026

Steve Kerr Looms as Top TV Target Amid Coaching Uncertainty

Kerr previously served as TNT’s top game analyst