Friday, June 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

West Virginia AD: McAfee’s Value to School ‘Maybe Eight Figures’

The sports media star played at West Virginia nearly two decades ago.
Oct 11, 2025; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; LSU Tigers head coach Brian Kelly looks on against the South Carolina Gamecocks during the first half at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
Exclusive

Brian Kelly to Call CBS College Football Games

Kelly previously contributed to CBS Sports Network’s NFL Draft coverage.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

A Conversation with Tracy McGrady on Buying ABCD Camp, Investing in the Bills & More.

0:00

Featured Today

June 25, 2026

Italian Americans Have Severe World Cup FOMO

Bars and restaurants in Boston, Philly, and beyond are missing the Azzurri.
Indiana Fever guard Lexie Hull (10) celebrates a three-point basket Monday, June 22, 2026, during the game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The Indiana Fever defeated the Phoenix Mercury, 86-77
June 24, 2026

Female Athletes Are Trying to Build the ‘Athleisure of Beauty’

“Performance cosmetics” have emerged alongside the women’s sports boom.
June 18, 2026

Why U.S. Open Host Sites Are on a 25-Year Plan

The U.S. Open has already picked out 22 future sites through 2051.
Wisconsin Badgers forward Laila Edwards, left, and defender Caroline Harvey celebrate after Edwards scored against the Minnesota Gophers in the first period in a game Saturday, February 8, 2025, at LaBahn Arena in Madison, Wisconsin.
June 15, 2026

Two Rookies Are Rewriting Women’s Hockey Stardom

Their platforms are a mutual boon for the PWHL and its players.
Feb 5, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; The ESPN logo at the Super Bowl LIX media center at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Ex-SportsCenter Anchor Max McGee Breaks Silence on ESPN Firing

McGee said he was fired following an HR investigation.
June 26, 2026

Amazon’s NASCAR Viewership Sees Slight Uptick in Second Season

Races on Prime Video averaged 2.29 million viewers this year.
Jun 25, 2026; Inglewood, California, USA; USMNT midfielder Weston McKennie (8) in the first half against Turkey during a Group D match in the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Los Angeles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
June 26, 2026

Fox Predicts a USMNT World Cup Final Would Rival NFL Ratings

Fox’s Mike Mulvihill predicted a potential audience of 50 million.
Sponsored

How Daktronics Is Reshaping the Modern MLB Ballpark Experience

The technology powering baseball’s next chapter.
June 25, 2026

NBC’s John Fanta: College Hoops ‘Has Never Been Stronger’

The NBC broadcaster said the college basketball product has never been better.
Feb 7, 2022; Westlake Village, CA, USA; ESPN reporter Dianna Russini at Los Angeles Rams Super Bowl LVI Opening Night at Oaks Christian High School. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
June 25, 2026

NYT Russini Story Only Raises More Questions

Is The Athletic’s investigation into Russini’s work nearing its end?
June 25, 2026

U.S. Open Draws 5.5M Viewers, Still Trails PGA Championship

Sunday’s audience peaked at 9.3 million viewers.
Jay Williams ESPN NBA Draft
Exclusive
June 24, 2026

Jay Williams: Viral Draft Moment Was ‘Extremely Uncomfortable’

Williams’s draft co-hosts joked about his career-ending injury.