NFL Ratings Surge in 2025 Season, Averaging 18.58 Million Viewers by Week 5

As the 2025 NFL season progresses, television ratings have experienced a significant surge, with games through Week 5 averaging 18.58 million viewers. This marks an 8% increase from the previous year and a 9% rise from 2023, representing the second-highest viewership at this point in the season since 2010.

The NFL's impressive viewership growth can be attributed to a combination of factors, including strategic scheduling, compelling matchups, and advancements in audience measurement technologies. Notably, Nielsen's new "Big Data + Panels" system has provided a more comprehensive understanding of viewership patterns, contributing to reported gains across all major broadcasters.

The Week 2 matchup between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs attracted 33.8 million viewers, making it the highest-rated game so far this season. Despite competition from college football and Major League Baseball playoffs, NFL ratings have remained strong.

Broadcasters have reported significant gains:

• CBS: The early-afternoon window featuring the Broncos-Eagles game in Week 5 averaged 19.6 million viewers, the highest since CBS regained NFL rights in 1998.

• Fox: The Commanders at Chargers game averaged 20.3 million viewers, with "America’s Game of the Week" seeing a 3% increase.

• ESPN: Monday Night Football drew 22.3 million viewers for Jacksonville’s win over Kansas City, the most since ESPN began airing MNF in 2006.

A contributing factor to this uptick is Nielsen's new "Big Data + Panels" measurement system, which incorporates data from set-top boxes and smart TVs. This system combines high-quality panel data with information from 45 million households and 75 million devices, including first-party data from streaming services.

The surge in NFL viewership reflects the league's central role in American culture. Despite competition from college football and Major League Baseball playoffs, the NFL continues to dominate television ratings, indicating its unique ability to unite diverse audiences.

The current viewership figures are the highest since 2010, highlighting a significant rebound in audience engagement. This resurgence contrasts with previous years where ratings experienced declines due to various factors, including political controversies and changes in viewing habits.

The 2025 NFL season's viewership surge underscores the league's enduring appeal and adaptability in a rapidly evolving media landscape. Factors such as advanced audience measurement techniques and strategic broadcasting decisions have played pivotal roles in this resurgence.