Le partite NFL sono i programmi più visti in televisione
I playoff non hanno cambiato il corso delle cose confermando il calo degli spettatori televisivi negli Stati Uniti (i nostri articoli in dettaglio su Wild Card, Divisional e finali di Conference) come potete vedere nell’immagine.
Il calo, circa del 9% a livello annuale, non può non preoccupare sia la NFL che i network televisivi che hanno speso fior di miliardi di dollari per la trasmissione delle partite. L’ultimo contratto, firmato nel 2014 e valido fino al 2021, ha portato i diritti alla stratosferica cifra di 39, 6 miliardi di dollari, pari a 31,5 miliardi di euro al cambio attuali, in crescita di 2 miliardi l’anno rispetto all’ultimo contratto.
Il costo dei diritti televisivi per trasmettere le partite NFL nel corso degli anni ha avuto una crescita esponenziale.
| Periodo | Anno (miliardi $) |
| 1982–1986 | 420 |
| 1987–1989 | 473 |
| 1990–1993 | 900 |
| 1994–1997 | 1100 |
| 1998–2005 | 2200 |
| 2006–2013 | 3085 |
| 2014–2021 (Espn fino al 2022) | 4950 |
Le previsioni degli analisti per i prossimi anni non prevedono una crescita degli spettatori televisivi. Il pubblico televisivo in generale è in forte diminuzione negli Stati Uniti e la concorrenza di dispositivi “alternativi” sui cui poter fruire legalmente una partita aumentano sempre di più. Sommando gli spettatori sui siti dei Network, GamePass e DirectTv non si arriva comunque ai numeri della passata stagione ed in più è molto difficile categorizzare quel tipo di pubblico, dato fondamentale per chi trasmette spot pubblicitari.
La NFL ha però un grande asso nella manica: le sue partite sono i programmi più visti in televisione. Questo vuol dire che chiunque voglia arrivare ad una grossa platea di spettatori, seppur in declino, deve trasmettere spot durante le partite.
La lista dei 50 programmi più visti negli States nel 2017.
| Categoria | Partita/Evento | Spettatori (MilionI) | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| NFL | Super Bowl LI, ATL-NE (Fox) | 111.3 | 45.3 |
| NFL | NFC Divisional Playoff, GB-DAL (Fox) | 48.5 | 26.1 |
| NFL | AFC Championship Game, PIT-NE (CBS) | 48 | 24.4 |
| TRUMP | Trump's Congressional Address (Vari) | 47.7 | 28.7 |
| NFL | NFC Championship Game, GB-ATL (Fox) | 46.3 | 25 |
| NFL | NFC Wild Card Playoff, NYG-GB (Fox) | 39.3 | 21.3 |
| NFL | AFC Divisional Playoff, PIT-KC (NBC) | 37.1 | 19.8 |
| SHOW | 89th Academy Awards (ABC) | 32.9 | 18.4 |
| TRUMP | Trump's Inauguration (Vari) | 30.6 | 20.1 |
| NFL | AFC Wild Card Playoff, MIA-PIT (CBS) | 29.9 | 17.5 |
| NFL | AFC Divisional Playoff, HOU-NE (CBS) | 29.8 | 16 |
| NFL | NFC Divisional Playoff, SEA-ATL (Fox) | 28.7 | 16.2 |
| MLB | 2017 MLB World Series, Game 7 (Fox) | 28.2 | 15.8 |
| TRUMP | Trump's Afghanistan Speech (Vari) | 27.8 | 15.5 |
| NFL | National Window, Week 15, NE-PIT (CBS) | 26.9 | 15.2 |
| NFL | NFC Wild Card Playoff, DET-SEA (NBC) | 26.9 | 14.8 |
| NFL | Thanksgiving Day Game, LAC-DAL (CBS) | 26.3 | 11.1 |
| SHOW | The 59th Annual Grammy Awards (CBS) | 26.1 | 14.3 |
| NFL | National Window, Week 2, DAL-DEN (Fox) | 26 | 14.3 |
| NCAAF | College Football Championship, CLEM-ALA (ESPN) | 25.3 | 14.2 |
| NFL | AFC Wild Card Playoff, OAK-HOU (ABC/ESPN) | 25.1 | 14.4 |
| NFL | Thanksgiving Day Game, MIN-DET (Fox) | 24.7 | 11.4 |
| NBA | 2017 NBA Finals, Game 5 (ABC) | 24.5 | 13.5 |
| NFL | Sunday Night Football, Week 1, NYG-DAL (NBC) | 24.4 | 13.4 |
| SHOW | 91st Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade (NBC) | 24.1 | 12.5 |
| NFL | National Window, Week 5, GB-DAL (Fox) | 23.9 | 13.6 |
| NFL | National Window, Week 14, PHL-LAR (Fox) | 23.8 | 13.7 |
| NFL | Sunday Night Football, Week 17, GB-DET (NBC) | 23.8 | 13 |
| NCAAB | NCAA Men's Hoops Championship, UNC-GON (CBS) | 23 | 13.2 |
| NFL | National Window, Week 17, SEA-DAL (Fox) | 23 | 12.2 |
| NFL | National Window, Week 1, SEA-GB (Fox) | 22.8 | 12.7 |
| NFL | National Window, Week 17, NYG-WAS (Fox) | 22.4 | 12.3 |
| MLB | 2017 MLB World Series, Game 6 (Fox) | 22.3 | 12.6 |
| NFL | National Window, Week 10, DAL-ATL (Fox) | 22 | 12.8 |
| NFL | National Window, Week 8, DAL-WAS (Fox) | 22 | 12.7 |
| NFL | NFL Kickoff Game, KC-NE (NBC) | 21.8 | 12.6 |
| NFL | National Window, Week 9, KC-DAL (CBS) | 21.7 | 12.5 |
| NFL | National Window, Week 3, CIN-GB (CBS) | 21.3 | 12.2 |
| NFL | Sunday Night Football, Week 11, PHL-DAL (NBC) | 21.1 | 11.9 |
| NFL | National Window, Week 6, PIT-KC (CBS) | 20.6 | 12 |
| NFL | National Window, Week 13, CAR-NO (CBS) | 20.2 | 12 |
| NFL | Sunday Night Football, Week 2, GB-ATL (NBC) | 20.2 | 11.3 |
| NFL | Regional Window, Week 4, LAR-DAL (Fox) | 20.1 | 11.5 |
| SHOW | The 74th Annual Golden Globe Awards (NBC) | 20 | 11.6 |
| NBA | 2017 NBA Finals, Game 3 (ABC) | 20 | 11.3 |
| NFL | National Window, Week 12, NO-LAR (CBS) | 19.9 | 11.6 |
| NFL | National Window, Week 7, CIN-PIT (CBS) | 19.8 | 11.3 |
| NFL | Sunday Night Football, Week 13, PHL-SEA (NBC) | 19.7 | 11.3 |
| NBA | 2017 NBA Finals, Game 2 (ABC) | 19.7 | 10.7 |
| NFL | Sunday Night Football, Week 15, DAL-OAK (NBC) | 19.2 | 11.1 |
43 eventi sono partite NFL con il Super Bowl al primo posto e tutti i playoff del 2017 nelle prime dieci posizioni, qualcosa di incredibile e di monopolizzante per quanto riguarda l’audience e sarà la vera carta che Roger Goodell potrà giocarsi in fase di rinnovo del contratto.
I ricavi da diritti televisivi rappresentano una buona parte degli incassi della NFL e di conseguenza delle singole franchigie e hanno un impatto diretto per esempio sul salary cap, il monte stipendi a disposizione di ogni squadra, ed è stato fonte di forte discussione durante il rinnovo del contratto con la NFLPA (l’associazione giocatori) che ovviamente vuole partecipare alla spartizione della torta in quanto protagonisti dello spettacolo che viene settimanalmente trasmesso. Il contratto con i giocatori scade nel 202o, un anno prima di quello dei diritti televisivi e sarà interessante vedere come l’argomento televisione sarà utilizzato dalle parti.
Per chiudere vi proponiamo l’elenco con rating e audience di tutte le partite trasmesse a livello nazionale in questa stagione.
| Partita | Rating | Spettatori (milioni) |
|---|---|---|
| Giants vs. Cowboys (NBC) (week 1) | 13.4 | 24.37 |
| Seahawks vs. Packers (FOX) (week 1) | 12.7 | 22.8 |
| Chiefs vs. Patriots (NBC) (week 1) | 12.6 | 21.79 |
| Various (CBS) (week 1) | 7.6 | 13.34 |
| Saints vs. Vikings (ESPN) (week 1) | 6.8 | 11.39 |
| Eagles vs. Redskins (FOX) (week 1) | 6.6 | 11.34 |
| Chargers vs. Broncos (ESPN) (week 1) | 6 | 9.94 |
| Cowboys vs. Broncos (FOX) (week 2) | 14.3 | 25.97 |
| Packers vs. Falcons (NBC) (week 2) | 11.3 | 20.24 |
| Various (CBS) (week 2) | 8.4 | 14.52 |
| Eagles vs. Chiefs (FOX) (week 2) | 7.9 | 13.21 |
| Lions vs. Giants (ESPN) (week 2) | 7.4 | 12.29 |
| Texans vs. Bengals (NFLN) (week 2) | 4.9 | 8.08 |
| Bengals vs. Packers (CBS) (week 3) | 12.2 | 21.27 |
| Raiders vs. Redskins (NBC) (week 3) | 10.1 | 17.48 |
| Giants vs. Eagles (FOX) (week 3) | 9.2 | 15.43 |
| Various (CBS) (week 3) | 8.4 | 14.41 |
| Cowboys vs. Cardinals (ESPN) (week 3) | 8.2 | 13.69 |
| Rams vs. 49ers (NFLN) (week 3) | 4.4 | 7.45 |
| Rams vs. Cowboys (FOX) (week 4) | 11.5 | 20.06 |
| Colts vs. Seahawks (NBC) (week 4) | 9.55 | 16.73 |
| Raiders vs. Broncos (CBS) (week 4) | 9.1 | 15.59 |
| Bears vs. Packers (CBS, NFLN, Amazon) (week 4) | 8.9 | 14.61 |
| Various (CBS) (week 4) | 7 | 11.7 |
| Saints vs. Dolphins (NBC) (week 4)* | 4 | 6.4 |
| Packers vs. Cowboys (FOX) (week 5) | 13.6 | 23.96 |
| Chiefs vs. Texans (NBC) (week 5) | 9.5 | 16.53 |
| Patriots vs. Buccaneers (CBS, NFLN, Amazon) (week 5) | 9.4 | 15.43 |
| Various (CBS) (week 5) | 7.8 | 13.18 |
| Panthers vs. Lions (FOX) (week 5) | 7.5 | 12.33 |
| Vikings vs. Bears (ESPN) (week 5) | 6.1 | 10.28 |
| Steelers vs. Chiefs (CBS) (week 6) | 12 | 20.59 |
| Packers vs. Vikings (FOX) (week 6) | 9.4 | 16.2 |
| Giants vs. Broncos (NBC) (week 6) | 9.4 | 16.16 |
| Eagles vs. Cardinals (CBS, NFLN, Amazon) (week 6) | 8.9 | 14.59 |
| Various (CBS) (week 6) | 6.6 | 10.94 |
| Colts vs. Titans (ESPN) (week 6) | 5.2 | 8.38 |
| Bengals vs. Steelers (CBD) (week 7) | 11.3 | 19.85 |
| Falcons vs. Patriots (NBC) (week 7) | 11 | 19.24 |
| Cowboys vs. 49ers (FOX) (week 7) | 9.5 | 16.12 |
| Chiefs vs. Raiders (CBS, NFLN, Amazon) (week 7) | 8.6 | 14.38 |
| Various (CBS) (week 7) | 8.2 | 13.36 |
| Redskins vs. Eagles (ESPN) (week 7) | 6.9 | 11.28 |
| Cowboys vs. Redskins (FOX) (week 8) | 12.7 | 22.02 |
| Chargers vs. Patriots (CBS) (week 8)** | 8.9 | 15.16 |
| Steelers vs. Lions (NBC) (week 8) | 8 | 13.86 |
| Bears vs. Saints (FOX) (week 8) | 7.3 | 12.44 |
| Dolphins vs. Ravens (CBS, NFLN, Amazon) (week 8) | 7 | 11.36 |
| Broncos vs. Chiefs (ESPN) (week 8) | 6.3 | 10.42 |
| Vikings vs. Browns (NFLN) (week 8)* | 2.1 | 3.45 |
| Chiefs vs. Cowboys (CBS) (week 9) | 12.5 | 21.68 |
| Raiders vs. Dolphins (NBC) (week 9) | 8.55 | 14.36 |
| Falcons vs. Panthers (FOX) (week 9) | 8.4 | 14.21 |
| Various (CBS) (week 9) | 7.15 | 11.95 |
| Lions vs. Packers (ESPN) (week 9) | 6.8 | 11.08 |
| Bills vs. Jets (NFLN) (week 9) | 3.6 | 5.84 |
| Cowboys vs. Falcons (FOX) (week 10) | 12.8 | 21.96 |
| Patriots vs. Broncoes (NBC) (week 10) | 10.2 | 17.51 |
| Seahawks vs. Cardinals (NBC, NFLN, Amazon) (week 10) | 7.9 | 13.1 |
| Vikings vs. Redskins (FOX) (week 10) | 7.4 | 12.35 |
| Various (CBS) (week 10) | 7.2 | 11.83 |
| Dolphins vs. Panthers (ESPN) (week 10) | 5.4 | 8.76 |
| Cowboys vs. Eagles (NBC) (week 11) | 11.9 | 21.06 |
| Patriots vs. Raiders (CBS) (week 11) | 10.9 | 19.03 |
| Redskins vs. Saints (FOX) (week 11) | 9.4 | 15.71 |
| Titans vs. Steelers (NBC, NFLN, Amazon) (week 11) | 8.2 | 13.51 |
| Falcons vs. Seahawks (ESPN) (week 11) | 6.4 | 10.76 |
| Chiefs vs. Giants (CBS) (week 11) | 6.5 | 10.71 |
| Chargers vs. Cowboys (CBS) (week 12) | 11.1 | 26.3 |
| Vikings vs. Lions (FOX) (week 12) | 11.4 | 24.74 |
| Saints vs. Rams (CBS) (week 12) | 11.6 | 19.9 |
| Packers vs. Steelers (NBC) (week 12) | 11 | 18.95 |
| Giants vs. Redskins (NBC) (week 12) | - | 16.91 |
| Bears vs. Eagles (FOX) (week 12) | 8.9 | 15.36 |
| Various (CBS) (week 12) | 6.5 | 10.91 |
| Texans vs. Ravens (ESPN) (week 12) | 5.1 | 8.27 |
| Panthers vs. Saints (FOX) (week 13) | 12 | 20.22 |
| Eagles vs. Seahawks (NBC) (week 13) | 11.3 | 19.69 |
| Redskins vs. Cowboys (NBC, NFLN, Amazon) (week 13) | 9.4 | 15.6 |
| Various (CBS) (week 13) | 9.1 | 15.13 |
| Vikings vs. Falcons (FOX) (week 13) | 6.8 | 11.17 |
| Steelers vs. Bengals (ESPN) (week 13) | 6.7 | 10.84 |
| Eagles vs. Rams (FOX) (week 14) | 13.7 | 23.78 |
| Ravens vs. Steelers (NBC) (week 14) | 10.1 | 17.2 |
| Cowboys vs. Giants (FOX) (week 14) | 9.1 | 15.54 |
| Saints vs. Falcons (NBC, NFLN, Amazon) (week 14) | 8.9 | 14.61 |
| Various (CBS) (week 14) | 8.15 | 13.89 |
| Patriots vs. Dolphins (ESPN) (week 14) | 7.2 | 11.78 |
| Patriots vs. Steelers (CBS) (week 15) | 15.2 | 26.88 |
| Cowboys vs. Raiders (NBC) (week 15) | 11.1 | 19.19 |
| Packers vs. Panthers (FOX) (week 15) | 10.6 | 18.05 |
| Broncos vs. Colts (NBC, NFLN, Amazon) (week 15) | 6.5 | 10.64 |
| Various (CBS) (week 15) | 6 | 9.91 |
| Falcons vs. Buccaneers (ESPN) (week 15) | 5.7 | 9.41 |
| Chargers vs. Chiegs (NFLN) (week 15) | 4 | 6.99 |
| Bears vs. Lions (NFLN) (week 15) | 3.1 | 5.18 |
| Seahawks vs. Cowboys (FOX) (week 16) | 12.2 | 23.03 |
| Steelers vs. Texans (NBC, NFLN, Amazon) (week 16) | 8 | 16.92 |
| Patriots vs. Bills (CBS) (week 16) | 8.9 | 15.81 |
| Vikings vs. Packers (NBC) (week 16) | 8.4 | 15.29 |
| Falcons vs. Saints (FOX) (week 16) | 6.9 | 12.41 |
| Raiders vs. Eagles (ESPN) (week 16) | 5.9 | 11.74 |
| Colts vs. Ravens (NFLN) (week 16) | 3.1 | 5.4 |
| Panthers vs. Falcons (FOX) (week 17) | 11.45 | 20.78 |
| Bengals vs. Ravens (CBS) (week 17) | 8.7 | 15.6 |
| Bears vs. Vikings (FOX) (week 17) | 7.9 | 13.59 |
| Various (CBS) (week 17) | 6.6 | 11.21 |
| Panthers vs. Saints (FOX) (Wild Card) | 17.5 | 31.15 |
| Bills vs. Jaguars (CBS) (Wild Card) | 15.15 | 25.3 |
| Falcons vs. Rams (NBC) (Wild Card) | 12.8 | 22.82 |
| Titans vs. Chiefs (ESPN, ABC) (Wild Card) | 13 | 22.18 |
| Saints vs. Vikings (FOX) (Divisional Round) | 19.3 | 35.65 |
| Jaguars vs. Steelers (CBS) (Divisional Round) | 18.3 | 31.45 |
| Falcons vs. Eagles (NBC) (Divisional Round) | 15.5 | 27.07 |
| Titans vs. Patriots (CBS) (Divisional Round) | 14.5 | 26.69 |
| Jaguars vs. Patriots (CBS) (Conference Championship) | 24.3 | 44.08 |
| Vikings vs. Eagles (FOX) (Conference Championship) | 21.7 | 42.3 |
