It was a record year for live sports among the top 100 most-watched telecasts in the U.S. in 2023, as the genre dominated more than ever, with 96 of the top 100-watched programs.
The record was fueled by the most NFL games to ever crack the list, as the league took 93 of the top 100. That figure easily breaks the NFL’s prior record of 82 set in 2022. Back in 2019 (another non-Olympic year), the Shield accounted for just 78.
These record numbers will continue to be touted by leagues and properties as to the value of live sports programming.
The NFL also occupied 24 of the top 25 spots in 2023 (the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade was the outlier at No. 23). The State of the Union address and Academy Awards were two of the other non-sports telecasts on the list (showing the power of live programming). The only taped program to make the list was “Next Level Chef,” which had the coveted post-Super Bowl spot. But even that slot is losing its luster, as the cooking show ranked at just No. 93 — likely the lowest spot on record for a post-Super Bowl show.
The addition of ABC simulcasts for almost every “Monday Night Football” game this season also helped triple the number of games from the package to crack the list.
Demonstrating America’s love of all things football, the other three sports telecasts come from the college ranks (Ohio State-Michigan, Alabama-Georgia in the SEC Championship and the Georgia-TCU CFP title game to conclude last season).
Two streaming programs just made the list for the first time (both NFL on Prime Video). That includes the Seahawks-Cowboys “Thursday Night Football” game on Nov. 30, which set a record for any NFL streaming audience. Vikings-Eagles on Prime Video back in September also made the list at No. 100.
Among telecasts missing the list, the most notable is the NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship, as the record-low audience for UConn-San Diego State had the game at No. 103. The Kentucky Derby also barely missed the list (No. 102).
