NFL’s Opening “Sunday Night Football” Ratings Almost The Same As 2018 

NFL’s Opening “Sunday Night Football” Ratings Almost The Same As 2018 

Are you ready for some football? As the NFL season begins this week, the 2018 Super Bowl Champs New England Patriots took a staggering 33-3 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday night (Sept. 8th). The season opener delivered a 14.8 household rating in metered markets, up a scant 3 percent from the same night last season between the Green Bay Packers and the Chicago Bears.

Just another day at the office for @TomBrady:
? 341 yards
? 3 TD
? 24 completions
? Prime time WIN#GoPats pic.twitter.com/YaijrQz2Hw

— NFL (@NFL) September 9, 2019

In official numbers, Sunday Night Football delivered approximately 22.7 million viewers on Sunday (Sept. 8th). Viewers online, including streaming on NBC and NFL digital platforms averaged 523,000 viewers, up from 403,000. Just ahead of the grand total viewership from 2018 with 22.12.

After years of decline due to much controversy surrounding NFL player’s openly protesting the national anthem, ratings have increased by 5% from last season.

In response to the players protest, the NFL joined forces with rapper Jay-Z’s Roc Nation to launch of a new social enterprise model called, Inspire Change. In a statement, the NFL announced their partnership will fund and support Inspire Change programs across the country.

“Proceeds from this venture will support organizations committed to the key priorities of Inspire Change: education and economic empowerment, police and community relations, and criminal justice reform.”

In its first act, Inspire Change presenter performances by artists Meek Mill, Meghan Trainor and Rapsody in a free concert at the NFL Kickoff Experience presented by EA SPORTS MADDEN NFL ‘20 in Chicago’s Grant Park on Thursday (Sept. 5th).

Have you continued to watch NFL games? Let us know in the comments!