• Loading stock data...
Friday, October 31, 2025
Want a chance to win $250 and free FOS gear? Take our quick reader survey. Take the survey here

Cowboys-Giants Is ESPN’s 4th Most-Watched MNF Ever

  • Up 29% from Cowboys-Eagles last year and ESPN’s fourth-most-watched ‘MNF’ ever.
  • New Troy Aikman-Joe Buck broadcast booth posting record numbers.
Troy Aikman and Joe Buck
Joe Faraoni / ESPN Images)

During the NFL offseason, ESPN invested a staggering $165 million in its new “Monday Night Football” broadcast booth of Troy Aikman and Joe Buck.

So far Chairman Jimmy Pitaro’s gamble is paying off, with MNF drawing some of the highest TV numbers for the 17-year ESPN era.

ESPN’s Week 3 telecast of the Dallas Cowboys’ 23-16 win over the New York Giants averaged 19.3 million viewers across ESPN, ABC, ESPN2, ESPN, and ESPN Deportes — up 29% from Cowboys-Eagles last season.

It is the most-watched Week 3 MNF game since ESPN took over the package in 2006 and the fourth-most-watched MNF game during that overall period.

ESPN invested a small fortune in dual five-year contracts for Aikman and Buck.

The new MNF team of Aikman-Buck-Lisa Salters-John Parry, combined with a much more attractive game schedule, is paying off: 

  • Through Week 3, ESPN has already posted two of the four most-watched MNF games in its history, including more than 270 games.
  • TV viewership has peaked at over 20 million viewers every week of the 2022 season.
  • MNF’s record-setting Week 3 performance followed a previous record-setter in Week 1 when Denver Broncos-Seattle Seahawks became the most-watched season opener in ESPN’s MNF history with 19.85 million viewers.

In Week 4, that stronger game schedule pays off with an NFC Championship rematch between the Super Bowl Champion Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers.

‘ManningCast’ Contributes 1.4M Viewers

During Week 3, the “ManningCast” with Peyton and Eli Manning contributed 1.4 million viewers via ESPN2 and ESPN+. 

Through the first two episodes, the brothers are averaging 1.46 million viewers, up 15% from the first two last season.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Frozen Frenzy Ratings Climb 20% Despite Scheduling Complaints

The hockey event posts a 20% viewership bump, despite World Series competition.

YouTube TV Loses ESPN, ABC Just Before Big Sports Weekend

More than 20 channels go dark on the No. 4 U.S. pay-TV distributor.
Multiple streaming services appear on a Roku TV.

Disney, YouTube Settle Suit Over Poached Exec With Deep ESPN Ties

A carriage dispute between Disney and YouTube remains ongoing.

SEC-Led College Football TV Ratings Are Still Up 4% Through Week 9

The average game audience this season is 1.95 million viewers.

Featured Today

Oct 28, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani (17) pitches during the fifth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays during game four of the 2025 MLB World Series at Dodger Stadium.

Shohei Ohtani Card Market Is Surging—With No Signs of Slowing

Cards have spiked hundreds of thousands of dollars from their initial value.
September 21, 2025; Santa Clara, California, USA; NFL commissioner Roger Goodell before the game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Arizona Cardinals at Levi's Stadium
October 26, 2025

NFL Fall Meeting: 7 Big Topics Among Team Owners 

Media, facilities, and labor highlight some of the key areas of concern.
Ohio State Buckeyes running back Isaiah West (32) runs the ball in the second half at Camp Randall Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025 in Madison, Wisconsin
October 25, 2025

NIL Has Birthed a Third-Party Cottage Industry—and It’s a Mess

There’s no limit to how much players can make from NIL deals.
Christie's
October 21, 2025

Lou Gehrig’s $4M Jersey and the Exploding Sports Memorabilia Market

An ultra-rare sports collection is about to hit the auction block.
YouTube/ Multiple streaming services appear on a Roku TV.

YouTube in Another Carriage Dispute, This Time With Disney

ESPN and ABC could be dropped from the No. 4 U.S. pay-TV distributor.
May 17, 2025; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees left fielder Jasson Dominguez (24) shakes hands with New York Mets right fielder Juan Soto (22) after the top of the fifth inning at Yankee Stadium.
October 23, 2025

Mets, Yankees, and the Nielsen Debate That Won’t Go Away

Weeks after the end of the MLB regular season, viewership issues remain.
Oct 21, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) keeps the ball away from Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant (7) during the second half at Paycom Center
October 23, 2025

NBA’s NBC Return Draws 5.9M Viewers, Best Opener Since 2010

Thunder vs. Rockets peaked at 7.1 million viewers.
Sponsored

How HOKA is Reimagining the NIL Relationship

TNT Sports is going all-in on college athletics—bringing fans closer and giving brands a powerful new way to connect.
Brian Windhorst
October 23, 2025

Brian Windhorst Details Emergency Landing on Omaha–L.A. Flight

The pilots and flight attendants had a communication issue.
October 22, 2025

YouTube Stars Help Bring Back Golf Channel’s ‘Big Break’

The show will return in 2026 after an 11-year hiatus.
Candace Parker
October 22, 2025

Candace Parker Wants NFL-Style Coverage From NBA Media

Amazon will stream its first NBA doubleheader Friday.
Netflix
October 21, 2025

Netflix Staying on the Sidelines As TNT Sports Parent Seeks Buyer

The streaming giant shows little interest in acquisition possibilities.