NFL TV Ratings Jump 5 Percent in 2018

Over the last year and change, the NFL has taken a lot of flack for their falling TV ratings. Some will say it’s Kaepernick, others will point to the ongoing concussion saga, yet it’s impossible to pinpoint the exact reason. When it comes down to it, though, the numbers were falling and that’s that. This year, however, it was plain to see that something changed; the 2018 NFL season was exciting, compelling, and good enough to reel some of the fringe fans back in. On Wednesday, that premise was validated with a five-percent increase in TV ratings for the season.

Per an ESPN report on Wednesday, the numbers jumped to 15.8 million average viewers in 2018 from 14.9 million in 2017.

It is a good sign for the league but it’s only the first step in gaining back the viewership they had just a few years ago. The same ESPN report revealed that in 2015, the NFL TV ratings were more than two million higher than in 2018 (17.9 average viewers in 2015).

While ESPN pointed to successes by marquee franchises like the Dallas Cowboys and Chicago Bears — which definitely played a part — I believe a big reason for the uptick comes from the development of the league’s young stars. For example, Baker Mayfield and Patrick Mahomes are both unique, exciting players with gigantic followings. Andrew Luck was back to his old self after a year away, and the list literally goes on and on. Many things factor into the increase but one thing is for sure, the NFL is headed in the right direction.