NFL Boosts Broadcast and Streaming Viewership Share in November

The NFL made a big impact on TV viewing in November, with live sports driving broadcast to its best share of TV since the previous November. At the same time, streaming platforms like Peacock and Paramount+ saw double-digit growth.

According to Nielsen’s monthly snapshot of TV viewing, The Gauge, television usage increased by 5.5% in November. Live sports played a significant role in this increase, with Thanksgiving Day emerging as a standout for TV viewing. Audiences watched a whopping 103.4 billion minutes of TV on Thanksgiving Day alone. Linear streaming on Thanksgiving represented 10.1% of total TV usage, the second-highest daily linear streaming level ever recorded, just behind Super Bowl Sunday in February 2025.

Broadcast TV also had a strong showing in November, with viewership increasing by 7% compared to October. Broadcast captured 23.2% of TV viewing, surpassing cable for the third consecutive month. This increase was largely driven by a 30% rise in sports viewing, fueled by events like the MLB World Series and NFL games.

The impact of live sports was evident in streaming as well. Platforms like Peacock and Paramount+ saw significant boosts in viewership. Peacock experienced the most growth in November, with a 22% increase driven by NFL Sunday Night Football coverage and Thanksgiving Day programming. Paramount+ also jumped 18.4% month over month, thanks to NFL games and the return of its original series Landman.

Overall, November showcased the power of sports in driving TV viewing across both broadcast and streaming platforms. From increased viewership to new programming, the month was a win for the entertainment industry.