Drew Brees, No. 9 of the New Orleans Saints, dives into the end zone to score a garden touchdown against the Chicago Bears during the fourth quarter of the NFC Wild Card Playoff game at the Mercedes Benz Superdome on January 10, 2021 in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Chris Graythen | Getty Images
The National Football League came out on the doorstep of its playoffs, led by ViacomCBS Sports and the simultaneous broadcast of Nickelodeon, which drew more than 30 million viewers together.
Sunday’s CBS broadcast between New Orleans Saints and Chicago Bears drew about 30 million viewers and the children’s version of Nickelodeon drew about 2 million, making it Nickelodeon’s “most-watched program among total viewers in nearly four. years, ”the chain said.
The NFL’s attempt to solicit younger viewers was praised for its digital effects and comments on Nickelodeon topics on social media. The game saw the Saints beat the Bears, 21-9, and even included Saints coach Sean Payton, who loosened up from Nickelodeon in the postpartum.
Sunday’s NBC Sports Pittsburgh Steelers-Cleveland Browns contest also had an average of 26 million on all platforms and 24.8 million viewers on NBC and reached 27.6 million viewers around 9:15 p.m. -9: 30 pm The channel said it was the most watched TV show since Super Bowl LIV last February.
The Browns defeated the Steelers, by 48 to 37, for their first win in the club’s postseason since 1995. And it could be the last time quarterback Ben Roethlisberger wore a Steelers uniform.
Ben Roethlisberger # 7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers in action against Adrian Clayborn # 94 of the Cleveland Browns on January 11, 2021 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Justin K. Aller | Getty Images
Roethlisberger, who threw four interceptions in the game, will get a $ 41 million salary cap for the team next season, prompting speculation that the Steelers could part with the 38-year-old. who turns 39 in March.
Saturday’s NBC playoff game with another longtime quarterback who changed teams, Tom Brady, had an average of 21.4 million viewers watching the Tampa Bay Buccaneers beat the team of Washington football.
Brady and Saints quarterback Drew Brees will head for the third time this season, as the Saints will head the Bucs this weekend. The duo helped Fox Sports attract more than 25 million viewers in its first Week 1 contest.
Fox said its Saturday game between the Los Angeles Rams and Seattle Seahawks had an average of 23.9 million viewers on its channel. ESPN reported 24.8 million viewers for its Baltimore Ravens-Tennessee Titans megacast. The Disney-owned network aired the game through its ABC and ESPN channels.