Tuesday, October 13, 2026

Nielsen Will Rate Amazon’s ‘Thursday Night Football’ Streaming Numbers

  • It’s the first time Nielsen will report weekly on a live streamer.
  • The initial partnership is for three years.
NFL
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Want more from Front Office Sports
in your search results?

Add Front Office Sports on Google

Ahead of its unprecedented NFL coverage, Amazon has secured some level of legitimacy.

The e-commerce and media giant has announced a three-year partnership with Nielsen that will allow the market measurement firm to provide ratings for its “Thursday Night Football” game broadcasts.

It marks the first time that Nielsen will include ratings from a streaming service in its weekly television-viewing report — which is used by advertisers to determine the value of commercial slots.

For the last two years, the company has tracked general streaming numbers from big players in the space such as Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon’s Prime Video — but never for a live streaming program.

Nielsen will track the viewership numbers for “TNF” across both the Prime Video and Twitch streams.

The partnership announcement comes with convenient timing: Recently, Amazon reportedly told ad execs that it expects “only” about 12.5 million viewers per broadcast — less than in previous seasons.

After purchasing the exclusive rights to “Thursday Night Football” for $1 billion, Amazon’s long saga to be the exclusive carrier of a weekly NFL game finally becomes reality next month when the Chargers and Chiefs kick off on Sept. 15.

Download the FOS App

The business of sports, in your pocket.

QR code to download the app

Scan the QR code to get the app now.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

NFL Reverses Course, Clears Zxavian Harris to Sign With Teams

Harris was one of two players attempting to return to college football.
Sep 27, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; NBC broadcast analyst Mike Tomlin before the game between Los Angeles Rams and Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
Opinion

The Tomlin Effect? NFL Analysts More Blunt Than Ever

Rex Ryan is the latest ex-coach to break from the fraternity.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

10/13/26 – Quinn On Hot Seat, Dream’s Arena Crunch, FOS “Tuned In” Preview

0:00

Featured Today

Oct 5, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas arrives at the arena before the Penguins host the Winnipeg Jets at PPG Paints Arena

NHL’s New Wave of GMs Is Built Different

“I am in the prediction business,” Devils GM Sunny Mehta tells FOS.
Action Images/Peter Cziborra
October 9, 2026

Is Leicester City’s $264 Million Price Tag Too Rich for Hungry Investors?

After falling from grace, how much is a former top club worth?
Oct 3, 2026; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Kalen DeBoer waits to run onto the field prior to the game against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
October 7, 2026

Who Is Alabama Football in Year 3 Under Kalen DeBoer?

The No. 6 Crimson Tide host No. 2 Georgia on Saturday.
Cubs behind the scenes
October 6, 2026

Hollywood and TikTok: Sports Media’s New ‘Blueprint’

Teams and leagues are pouring money into the quest for fans.
October 2, 2026

How the Baseball Cap Became a ‘Behemoth’

The hat has become essential for athletes, fans, and the sports-agnostic.

Tirico Defends Michael Jordan Interview: ‘Completely Worth It’

Tirico says Jordan is “above the daily discourse” of the NBA.
ESPN
October 12, 2026

Disney Stacks Super Bowl LXI Lineup With Even More Alt-Casts

Disney adds to its cross-platform coverage of the upcoming NFL title game.
Don Garber Front Office Sports
Exclusive
October 13, 2026

Post–World Cup Soccer Audiences Surge Among Young Viewers

Domestic and European leagues have seen post-tournament audience bumps.
Sponsored

Beyond the Scorecard: How Dow Is Putting Purpose at the Center of Women’s Golf

Discover how Dow and the LPGA are building a partnership with lasting impact.
Sep 21, 2026; Inglewood, CA, USA; Pat McAfee on the ESPN Monday Night Countdown set at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Opinion
October 12, 2026

Could Pat McAfee’s Super Alt-Cast Be an MNF Tryout?

McAfee will host a Field Pass alt-cast for Super Bowl LXI.
Opinion
October 11, 2026

It’s Time for NFL Networks to Hire ‘Clock Management’ Specialists

Washington let the clock run out instead of kicking a field goal.
Oct 23, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Stephen A. Smith (Stephen Smith) on the ESPN NBA Countdown live set at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
October 8, 2026

Stephen A. Smith Ditches the ‘Nopology’ in Lane Johnson Mea Culpa

Smith faced criticism for comments about Johnson retiring to focus on mental health.
Soccer Football - Ligue 1 - AS Monaco v RC Strasbourg - Stade Louis II, Monaco, - April 19, 2025 TV pundit holds a DAZN microphone before the match
October 8, 2026

DAZN Grows Sports Footprint as It Acquires Local Rights

The streamer has quickly amassed a large collection of team rights.