Sunday, July 26, 2026

CBS Draws 50M Viewers For Epic NFL, CFB Slate

  • Bills-Chiefs was network’s most-watched Week 6 game in 15 years.
  • Alabama-Tennessee is the most-watched college football game this year.
Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

CBS Sports had a weekend to remember as it generated massive TV audiences for its pro and college football coverage

By luck of the schedule, CBS aired Alabama vs. Tennessee and Buffalo Bills vs. Kansas City Chiefs back-to-back on Saturday and Sunday. Between the two marquee games, and the network’s regional coverage of Baltimore Ravens vs. New York Giants on Sunday, CBS totaled a combined average viewership of 50.418 million viewers with 10.36 billion minutes consumed.

The Bills’ thrilling 24-20 win over the Chiefs was CBS’ most-watched Week 6 “NFL on CBS” telecast in 15 years. 

  • The late-afternoon telecast averaged 25.407 million viewers, up 7% over the comparable game window last year and 43% from the two teams’ primetime matchup last year.
  • With the Giants suddenly relevant again in the country’s largest TV market, the network’s regional coverage of the Giants’ 24-20 comeback win over the Ravens averaged 13.454 million viewers, up 7% from last year. 
  • CBS’ Week 2 broadcast of the Dallas Cowboys vs. Cincinnati Bengals (27.391M) remains the most-watched NFL game so far season-to-date.

Tennessee’s equally thrilling 52-49 win over Alabama was the most-watched college football game on any TV network season-to-date. 

  • The game averaged 11.557 million viewers, up 145% from last season and besting Texas-Alabama — the previous most-watched game this season (10.6M).
  • As the game reached its finish, Tennessee-Alabama viewership peaked at nearly 17 million. 
  • It was the most-watched regular season game on CBS since Alabama-LSU drew 16.712 million viewers in 2019. 

CBS has now broadcast the most-watched college football for five weeks in a row. 

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

49ers’ Strange Offseason Takes Another Turn With Shanahan Crash

Shanahan will be limited for the start of training camp.

Packers Made Whopping $753 Million in Revenue Last Season

The Packers, and the NFL overall, remain a financial behemoth.

6 Takeaways From 9 World Cup Stadiums

From parking to climate, what we learned in 39 days of soccer.
CBS sportscaster and former NFL quarterback Tony Romo chats with the media Tuesday, June 27, 2023 during the OSF Children's Hospital of Illinois Championship & Pro-Am at Metamora Fields Golf Club.

Tony Romo Arrested for OWI in Milwaukee

The CBS NFL analyst is due in court on Sept. 21.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

7/24/26 – Mark Cuban Buys Into A’s, Raiders Sign Mendoza, Sophie Cunningham’s Meteoric Rise

0:00

Featured Today

Tom's Watch Bar

Sports Bars Are Cashing In From Summer of Soccer

The World Cup has brought a windfall to America’s biggest sports bars.
Jun 16, 2026; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; France forward Michael Olise (11) controls the ball against Senegal during a Group I match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup at New York New Jersey Stadium
July 16, 2026

Where World Cup Stars Go to Customize Their Cleats

The world’s best players turn to a Scottish craftsman for perfect cleats.
July 10, 2026

What the World Cup Means to Erling Haaland’s Tiny Hometown

The tournament’s breakout star is from a rural Norwegian town.
July 10, 2026

Why So Many Media Outlets Are Rushing Into Sports

Sports coverage has ballooned in every corner of media.
Pillow Fight Championship
July 8, 2026

How Obscure Sports Get Mainstream TV Deals

For niche sports, getting on TV often matters more than getting paid.
Miami Beach, FL - January 31, 2020 - Miami Beach Convention Center: Mike Golic Jr (l), Mike Golic Sr, Trey Wingo and Drew Brees on the set of Golic and Wingo during Super Bowl LIV week. (Photo by Allen Kee / ESPN Images)
July 24, 2026

What The Golics Hope to Accomplish in ESPN Return

“The Golics” will debut on Aug. 3.
Feb 7, 2019; Spokane, WA, USA; ESPN personality Neil Everett looks on during a game between the San Francisco Dons and Gonzaga Bulldogs in the second half at McCarthey Athletic Center. The Bulldogs won 92-62. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports
Opinion
July 24, 2026

Is This the Cruel New Reality of Sports Media Layoffs?

Layoffs in Portland and Bristol this week were especially cold-blooded.
Sponsored

Inside the EY 2026 Sports Engagement Index: The Real Map of American Sports Participation

EY’s latest index explores how shifting U.S. fan behaviors are expanding the definition of sports engagement.
Duke Blue Devils guard Cayden Boozer (2) shoots the ball Thursday, March 19, 2026, during the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament first round game against the Siena Saints at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, South Carolina.
July 24, 2026

Duke–Michigan Amazon Showcase Canceled Over TV Rights Dispute

The Big Ten had disputed that the ACC possessed the game’s rights.
Jul 22, 2026; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) dribbles the ball while Connecticut Sun forward Diamond Miller (1) defends in the second half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
July 23, 2026

USA Today Updates Caitlin Clark Column After Backlash

Armour’s column was “clearly labeled as Opinion,” USA Today tells FOS.
July 23, 2026

Peacock Turns Profit 6 Years After Launch—With World Cup Bump

The streaming service reached a long-awaited “milestone.”
Bussin' With The Boys Josh Pate
Exclusive
July 23, 2026

ESPN to Launch CFB Show With Josh Pate, ‘BWTB’ Hosts

The show will air on Fridays.