Friday, April 17, 2026

NBC’s Chiefs-Jets ‘Swift Bowl’ Draws Monster 27 Million Viewers

  • It was the most-watched Sunday show since Fox’s telecast of Super Bowl 57 in February.
  • The “Swift Effect” generated 2 million additional female viewers.
Taylor Swift

Thank you, Taylor Swift.

NBC Sports’ telecast of the Kansas City Chiefs’ 23-20 win over the New York Jets drew a monster 27 million viewers Sunday night. 

Through Week 4, NBC has now televised the two most-watched NFL games this season.

With pop superstar Swift in attendance at an NFL game for the second straight week to cheer on Travis Kelce, the “Sunday Night Football” telecast drew 2 million more female viewers than usual. 

It peaked at 29.4 million viewers in the second quarter as the Jets pulled within eight points of the defending Super Bowl champions.

NBC producers leaned into “The Swift Bowl,” with a special intro devoted to “Swifties” by Carson Daly and no less than 17 cutaway shots of the singer and her entourage in a luxury box at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. The network’s “Taylor Made for Sunday Night” promo was watched 8 million times.

The game’s average audience of 27 million viewers was up 22% from last year’s comparable Week 4 game between Patrick Mahomes’ Chiefs and Tom Brady’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers (22.2 million viewers). But the total fell just short of NBC’s average for the Chiefs season-opening loss to the Detroit Lions (27.5 million).

Viewership among teen girls aged 12-17 years old rose 53% compared to the season-to-date average of SNF, while female viewers aged 18-24 years old — and those 35 and over — spiked 24% and 34%, respectively.  

The game also marked NBC’s largest ever streaming audience for a regular-season Sunday night game. Led by Peacock, the average minute audience (AMA) totalled 1.85 million viewers – up 42% from last year’s comparable Week 4 game. 

Over the last two weeks, NFL games with Swift in attendance rang up 24.3 million viewers for Fox and 27 million for NBC.

Anybody really want to argue she’s not bringing new viewers to the NFL?

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

NFL Draft Week Brings Tension, Trade Rumors, Pittsburgh Frenzy

Trade talk grows while hotel rooms in Pittsburgh remain historically expensive.
Apr 25, 2024; Avondale, Louisiana, USA; Kevin Kisner reacts to his shot from the 14th tee during the first round of the Zurich Classic of New Orleans golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

NBC’s Kevin Kisner Apologizes for Torching CBS Masters Coverage

Kisner admitted he “crossed the line” with his now-viral rant.
Jan 10, 2026; Chicago, IL, USA; Green Bay Packers wide receiver Matthew Golden (0) scores a touchdown against the Chicago Bears during the second half of an NFC Wild Card Round game at Soldier Field.

Efforts to Fight Sports Streaming Fragmentation Ramp Up in D.C.

“It’s not only confusing, it’s also damn expensive.”
LaChina Robinson Sarah Kustok
exclusive

LaChina Robinson, Sarah Kustok Expected to Join WNBA on NBC

NBC’s WNBA coverage continues to take shape.

Featured Today

blake griffin

Inside Blake Griffin’s Rookie Season at Prime Video

The six-time All-Star was initially hesitant to enter the media space.
Matthew Schaefer/Front Office Sports
April 10, 2026

Matthew Schaefer Has the Hockey World in His Thrall

The teenage Islanders defenseman cannon-balled into the NHL.
April 9, 2026

College Athletes Are Ignoring NCAA Gambling Bans

“We were going to bet regardless,” says one former D-I athlete.
April 8, 2026

Why Did FIFA Do a Deal With an Obscure Prediction Market?

The product is scheduled to launch on Thursday.
A smartphone showing the Netflix logo is held in front of a television displaying the Netflix home screen with Top 10 content rows in Paris, Ile de France, France, February 28, 2026. The scene illustrates video on demand streaming and second screen viewing on connected devices.

Netflix: There’s ‘Opportunity to Expand the Relationship’ With NFL

The streaming giant touts big results from its live sports content.
LIV Golf livestream
April 16, 2026

LIV Golf Loses Mexico Live Stream for Nearly Three Hours

The league’s broadcast feeds were down for more than an hour.
Apr 13, 2026; New York, NY, USA; Azzi Fudd poses for a photo on the orange carpet before the 2026 WNBA Draft at The Shed at Hudson Yards. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
April 16, 2026

Wings Shut Down Question to Azzi Fudd About Paige Bueckers Relationship

The Wings selected Fudd first overall earlier this week.
Sponsored

From Gold Medalist to Business Founder

Allyson Felix on investing in women’s sports and what comes next for track & LA28.
The Miz Stephen A. Smith WWE
April 16, 2026

ESPN Going All Out for WWE WrestleMania in Las Vegas

There has been plenty of crossover between ESPN and WWE this week.
[US, Mexico & Canada customers only] Sep 5, 2025; Sao Paulo, BRAZIL; Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen (13) runs against Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Trent McDuffie (22) in the second half during a NFL game at Corinthians Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jean Carniel/Reuters via Imagn Images
exclusive
April 16, 2026

NFL, YouTube in Advanced Talks for 5-Game Package

The deal has yet to be finalized.
Mar 28, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
April 15, 2026

NBA Viewership Up 16% in Year 1 of New Media Deal

The league faced heavy scrutiny last year for its declining ratings.
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
April 15, 2026

What’s Next for Dianna Russini? Sports Media Insiders Debate Her Future

Russini has made it clear she plans to continue her career.