NBC’s ‘Sunday Night Football’ Wraps Up With Most-Watched Season in 4 Years

TV’s No. 1 primetime show tops 20 million viewers per game

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – DECEMBER 29: D.K. Metcalf #14 of the Seattle Seahawks scores on a 14 yard touchdown pass from Russell Wilson during the fourth quarter of the game against the San Francisco 49ers at CenturyLink Field on December 29, 2019 in Seattle, Washington. The San Francisco 49ers top the Seattle Seahawks 26-21. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images)

NBC wrapped up its 14th season of “Sunday Night Football” yesterday with its NFC West Championship game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Seattle Seahawks — and its most-watched season in four years.

“SNF,” once again TV’s No. 1 primetime show, averaged 20.5 million viewers per game in 2019, which is up 5% from last year (19.6 million) and a 12% increase over 2017 (18.4 million), according to “Live + Same Day” data from Nielsen and digital data from Adobe Analytics.

Sunday’s 49ers-Seahawks game averaged 23.3 million viewers across all platforms, ranking as NBC “SNF’s” most-watched game ever among West Coast teams.

“Last night’s season finale featured the down-to-the wire drama that we love about the NFL,” NBC Sports Group president Pete Bevacqua said. “With exciting games featuring compelling new stars emerging at quarterback, coupled with veterans at the position who rank among the best in history, we’ve had a terrific season with viewership increases across the board. We’re looking forward to the playoffs, with the Wilson-Wentz matchup in the wild card, and a divisional game featuring the NFC No. 1 seed San Francisco 49ers and Jimmy Garoppolo.”

2019 marks “Sunday Night Football’s” ninth consecutive year atop the primetime chart. See below for the list of shows with the most consecutive years ranked at No. 1 in primetime, dating back to 1950.

9 years in a row – “Sunday Night Football” (2011-12 through 2019-20; on pace)

6 years in a row – “American Idol” (2005-06 through 2010-11)

5 years in a row – “The Cosby Show” (1985-86 through 1989-90)…tied Cheers in ’89-90

5 years in a row – “All in the Family” (1971-72 through 1975-76)

4 years in a row – “Gunsmoke” (1957-58 through 1960-61)

Comments