• Loading stock data...
Wednesday, February 11, 2026

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.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Jameis Winston Says He’s Given Seven Figures to Florida State

Winston led Florida State football to its last national championship. 

Bad Bunny Halftime Viewership Fell 7% From Super Bowl Peak

It was the second-most-watched Super Bowl and fourth-most-watched halftime show.

Super Bowl LX Viewership Down 2%, Draws 124.9 Million Viewers

The NFL title game falls slightly from last year’s record viewership.

Gary Vaynerchuk Wants to Own the Jets—Not Just a 1% Slice

The celebrity entrepreneur wants to own the Jets outright one day.

Featured Today

Milan’s Olympic Village Is Built for Performance—and Partying

Making Milan’s Olympic Village was a five-year sprint.
February 5, 2026

Welcome to the Prediction-Market Super Bowl

Hundreds of millions of dollars are being traded across many platforms.
Feb 1, 2026; Santa Clara, CA, USA; New England Patriots players arrive prior to Super Bowl LX at San Jose Mineta International Airport.
February 3, 2026

Private Equity Has Reached the Super Bowl

The Patriots are one of four NFL teams with PE investment.
University of Southern California
January 31, 2026

College Athletic Departments Are Wooing Recruits With Content Studios

Schools are creating content studios to win recruits and donor dollars.
February 10, 2026

ESPN Takes Over MLB.TV As New Rights Deal Kicks In

The Disney-owned outlet is distributing the league’s out-of-market package.
February 10, 2026

MLB Media Set to Handle Half of the League’s Teams in 2026

The shifts highlight the ongoing disruption across sports media.
Sponsored

From AUSL to Women’s Hoops: Jon Patricof on Building Leagues

Jon Patricof on athlete equity, fan-first strategy, and how women’s sports can reshape the future of league building.
Oct 30, 2025; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Amazon Prime analyst Ryan Fitzpatrick speaks during a broadcast prior to a game between the Miami Dolphins and the Baltimore Ravens at Hard Rock Stadium.
February 9, 2026

Ryan Fitzpatrick on His Amazon TV Breakthrough: ‘I Got So Lucky’

The former quarterback joined Prime Video in 2022.
Daniel Cormier
February 9, 2026

Former UFC Champ Daniel Cormier Touts ‘Historic’ Paramount Deal

“Now we’re in line with the rest of the sports.”
February 9, 2026

Kirk Cousins Weighs Playing and TV With Falcons Future in Doubt

The veteran quarterback told FOS he’s open to more sports media work.
February 8, 2026

Bad Bunny Delivers Party, Not Politics, During Super Bowl Halftime

The Puerto Rican superstar does not revisit recent anti-ICE commentary.