LOS ANGELES / BLOOMINGTON – The 2025-26 American football season has officially cemented its status as the king of U.S. media. New data reveals that the NFL Divisional Round and the CFP National Championship have obliterated previous viewership records, drawing tens of millions to their screens.
NFL: A Weekend of Records
The NFL Divisional Round (Jan 17-18) averaged a massive 39.2 million viewers, a 5% increase from the previous year.
- The Big Winner: NBC’s coverage of the LA Rams’ overtime thriller against the Chicago Bears drew 45.4 million viewers, including 5.3 million on Peacock.
- ESPN’s Historic Moment: The Patriots vs. Texans game averaged 37.97 million, becoming the most-watched non-Super Bowl event in Disney’s history since 1996.
- CBS Saturday Dominance: With 39.6 million viewers for the Broncos vs. Bills, CBS hosted the most-watched Saturday sports broadcast since the 1994 Winter Olympics.
College Football: The Mendoza Era Begins
The momentum carried into Monday as the Indiana Hoosiers made history. Powered by Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza, the Hoosiers defeated the Miami Hurricanes 27-21.
- The game averaged 30.1 million viewers, peaking at 33.9 million.
- It stands as the most-watched CFP National Championship in the 12-year history of the playoff format.
“The numbers don’t lie: American football is not just a sport; it’s the undisputed titan of the entertainment industry.”