• Loading stock data...
Tuesday, April 1, 2025
    More
    Nominations Are Open for Front Office Sports Honors! Submit Now
    Media

    NFL Draft Audience Up 12% From Last Year

    • Three-day event averages 6M viewers across ESPN, ABC and NFL Network
    • League reaches an unduplicated audience of 54.M viewers.
    By
    May 01, 2023 | 02:14 pm
    UPDATED May 02, 2023 | 12:31 am
    NFL Draft
    Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

    With quarterbacks as the star attraction, the 2023 NFL Draft increased its TV viewership by 12%.

    The three-day event averaged six million viewers across ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN Deportes, ABC and NFL Network. That was up 12% from the 5.3 million average in 2022.

    The Draft’s viewership numbers were up each day (Thursday-Friday-Saturday) compared to last year. Over 312,000 fans attended the live event in Kansas City, home of the Super Bowl champion Chiefs.

    A general view while the Dallas Cowboys make their pick during the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft in Las Vegas.
    Media
    | by and

    Nobody Wanted To Show The NFL Draft. Now It Owns TV.
    Televising it was once a preposterous idea. Now it’s the gold standard.
    April 22, 2023

    The league says this year’s NFL Draft drew a total unduplicated audience in the U.S. of 54.4 million viewers.

    Starting with Heisman Trophy winner Bryce Young of Alabama, quarterbacks were taken with three of the first four picks during Thursday’s first round.

    The average viewership for Thursday’s first-round coverage rose 11% to 11.4 million viewers.

    ESPN Draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. worked his 40th event this year. The Walt Disney Co’s ESPN and ABC both offered their own version of the Draft for the fifth year in a row. And the league’s own NFLN covered the Draft for the 17th year in a row.

    Linkedin
    Whatsapp
    Copy Link
    Link Copied
    Link Copied

    What to Read

    Notre Dame Fighting Irish guard Olivia Miles (5) celebrates a three-pointer as TCU Horned Frogs face off with Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the Sweet 16 at Legacy Arena in Birmingham, Ala., on Saturday, March 29, 2025.
    by

    Olivia Miles Delays WNBA Dreams: Why She Chose the Transfer Portal
    Miles was the projected No. 2 overall pick.
    by

    March Madness Ratings Dip After Record Start: Will Final Four Deliver?
    Viewership had been at a record pace through the opening rounds.
    Dec 17, 2022; Orchard Park, New York, USA; NFL Network personality Peter Schrager on the sidelines before a game between the Buffalo Bills and the Miami Dolphins at Highmark Stadium.
    by and

    ESPN Finalizes Deal With Peter Schrager
    Schrager will appear across ESPN’s studio programming.
    Oct 20, 2024; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; General view of a television camera operator during the game between the Houston Texans and Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field.
    by

    Sources: NFL ‘Virtual Lock’ to Opt Out of Media-Rights Deals
    Data continues to support an early opt-out of the league’s rights.

    Featured Today

    Mar 26, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) in the first half Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
    by

    The Creator Behind the LeBron ‘Glazing’ Trend Sweeping TikTok
    FOS spoke to TikTok user OkaySpade who made the original song.
    Seattle Kraken
    April 1, 2025

    Samantha Holloway Is Seattle’s NHL Present—and Hopeful NBA Future
    Samantha Holloway is steering the Kraken and hoping to revive pro hoops.
    Brehanna Daniels
    March 31, 2025

    NASCAR Pit Crew Member Brehanna Daniels Didn’t Know She’d Be a Trailblazer
    The first Black female tire changer didn’t know she’d be a trailblazer.
    Columbia, SC - February 16, 2025 - Colonial Life Arena: Rebecca Lobo and Ryan Ruocco during a regular season game.
    March 30, 2025

    Inside Ryan Ruocco’s Rapid Rise to ESPN’s Top Voice of Women’s Hoops
    The top voice became “quickly addicted” to calling the women’s game.

    More in Media
    by

    Former ESPN Reporter Zach Lowe Rejoins Bill Simmons at The Ringer
    Lowe worked with Ringer co-founder Bill Simmons at Grantland.
    exclusive
    March 28, 2025

    ESPN Making Erin Dolan In-Game Betting Analyst for UFL Games
    Erin Dolan will provide betting news and notes during game broadcasts.
    March 31, 2025

    Yankees RSN and Comcast Clash Intensifies As Deadline for Deal Nears
    The invective escalates as a contract deadline approaches Monday night.
    Sponsored

    How UBS Crafts Impactful Partnerships Across Sports, Arts, and Culture
    As UBS continues to expand its impressive array of sports and entertainment partnerships, the company solidifies its position as a leader in wealth management.
    Both teams line the field during the singing of the national anthem prior to the start of the opening day game between the NY Yankees and Milwaukee Brewers at Yankee Stadium on Thursday, March 27, 2025.
    March 27, 2025

    Yankees RSN, Comcast Reach Last-Minute Extension in Ongoing Dispute
    The two sides will keep negotiating as large-scale issues remain unresolved.
    March 26, 2025

    Yankees RSN Faces Comcast Blackout Threat Ahead of Opening Day
    The Yankees-led RSN and the No. 2 U.S. cable carrier clash again.
    Jan 13, 2025; Glendale, AZ, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold (14) is pursued by Los Angeles Rams linebacker Jared Verse (8) during an NFC wild card game at State Farm Stadium.
    March 26, 2025

    RFK-Threatened Pharma Ad Ban Wouldn’t Hurt NFL Broadcasters
    It wouldn’t be the first effort to restrict drug ads.
    Apr 5, 2024; Bronx, New York, USA; General view of Yankee Stadium before an opening day game between the New York Yankees and the Toronto Blue Jays.
    March 25, 2025

    Could ESPN Have a Future With MLB? Network Hints at Renegotiation
    The Disney-owned network signals a willingness to renegotiate.