The NFL ratings machine reached new heights on Thanksgiving. The matchup between the Dallas Cowboys and Kansas City Chiefs was the most-watched regular-season game in league history, with more than 57 million viewers.
The game, which Dallas won 31-28, aired in CBS’ 4 p.m. window and saw a 47% increase in viewers from last year’s Thanksgiving game.
Media experts had predicted the combination of the two marquee franchises and the football-focused holiday would create a perfect storm for the blockbuster ratings.
“The NFL. Thanksgiving. Chiefs. Cowboys. A perfect recipe for a record audience,” David Berson, CEO of CBS Sports, said in a statement. “We’re thrilled and honored this NFL showcase on CBS and Paramount+ delivered the most-watched regular-season game in NFL history.”
The game peaked with 61 million viewers at its conclusion and was the most-streamed game on Paramount+, which airs all of CBS’ NFL broadcasts.
The momentum carried over throughout the holiday. Fox opened the Thanksgiving festivities with a divisional matchup between the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions that briefly held the viewership record.
It attracted 48 million viewers, easily surpassing the previous regular-season high set by the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants on Thanksgiving Day 2022.
• Liam Griffin can be reached at lgriffin@washingtontimes.com.
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