Peacock Exclusive AFC Wild Card Game Is Biggest Live-Streamed Event in U.S. History & Drives Internet Usage to Single Day U.S. Record

Rhea-AI Summary

The NFL's first-ever exclusively live streamed playoff game, the Peacock Exclusive AFC Wild Card Game, reached 27.6 million total viewers, with an average of 24.6 million viewers peaking in the second quarter. The game was the most-streamed event ever in the U.S. with an average audience of approximately 23.0 million viewers across various platforms. The Browns-Texans AFC Wild Card Game also saw a high viewership of 29.0 million across different channels. The event drove Peacock to its largest single day in audience usage, engagement, and time spent, with a record 16.3 million concurrent devices. The game also led the Internet to its largest U.S. usage ever on a single day, consuming 30% of Internet traffic during the game. Comcast Corporation's Chairman and CEO, Brian Roberts, expressed pride in the flawless execution of the streaming experience, while NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell emphasized the importance of digital distribution to cater to changing viewing habits of fans.

Game Reaches Nearly 28 Million Viewers, with Average Audience Peaking at Nearly 25 Million Viewers From 9:15-9:30 p.m. ET 

Dolphins-Chiefs Averages 23 Million Viewers – Most Streamed Event in U.S. History & Topping Last Year’s Saturday Primetime AFC Wild Card Game by 6%

Peacock Registers Biggest Day in its History Driven by NFL Wild Card Exclusive and Entertainment Programming

Browns-Texans is Most-Watched Saturday NFL Wild Card Game on NBC since 2014

STAMFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- It was a historic night for the Internet, Peacock and the NFL. In the fourth-coldest NFL game ever, two-time Super Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes led the Kansas City Chiefs to a 26-7 win over the Miami Dolphins in front of more than 71,000 spirited fans. It was the NFL’s first-ever exclusively live streamed playoff game…the Peacock Exclusive AFC Wild Card Game.

Viewers flocked to Peacock, setting records for the most-streamed live event in U.S. history and driving the Internet to its largest U.S. usage ever on a single day and the largest Internet event ever, consuming 30 percent of Internet traffic during the game.

Among the milestones and metrics:

• The Peacock Exclusive AFC Wild Card reached 27.6 million total viewers, according to Nielsen.

• Dolphins-Chiefs peaked at an average of 24.6 million viewers in the second quarter from 9:15-9:30 p.m. ET, according to Nielsen custom fast national data (includes out-of-home viewership).

• The Peacock Exclusive AFC Wild Card ranks as the most-streamed event ever in the U.S. with an average audience (AMA) of approximately 23.0 million viewers across Peacock, NBC stations in Miami and Kansas City, and on mobile with NFL+, according to Nielsen custom fast national data. Viewership for Dolphins-Chiefs (8:11-11:01 p.m. ET) is up 6% from last year’s primetime AFC Wild Card Game (21.8 million TAD on NBC, Peacock, NBC Sports Digital, NFL Digital).

• In addition, according to a combination of preliminary first party and Nielsen data across every platform, the Peacock Exclusive AFC Wild Card averaged 26.3 million viewers across Peacock, NBC stations in Miami and Kansas City, and NFL+.

• With blockbuster programming across sports and entertainment, Peacock delivered its largest single day ever in audience usage, engagement and time spent, with a record 16.3 million concurrent devices.

• NBC Sports’ Saturday afternoon presentation of the Browns-Texans AFC Wild Card Game averaged 29.0 million viewers across NBC, Peacock, NBC Sports Digital, NFL Digital and Telemundo – ranking as the most-watched Saturday NFL Wild Card game on NBC since 2014. Led by Peacock, Browns-Texans delivered a digital Average Minute Audience of 3.1 million viewers -- NBC Sports’ largest streaming simulcast of an NFL game, excluding Super Bowl LVI.

“From NBC Sports and Peacock to the Comcast team, our entire company worked seamlessly to plan for this game and executed flawlessly to deliver a streaming experience with the NFL on a scale that’s never been done before. It’s a very proud moment,” said Brian Roberts, Chairman and CEO of Comcast Corporation.

“We couldn’t be prouder of our partnership with Peacock and are thrilled with the results of the first-ever exclusively live streamed NFL playoff game,” said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. “To best serve our fans, we need to ensure games are available to them as their viewing habits change and this includes digital distribution as we continue to help shape the future of the sports and entertainment industry.”

Dolphins-Chiefs delivered a 45.1/74 on KSHB (NBC Kansas City) and a 14.5/41 local rating/share on WTVJ (NBC Miami).

Viewership figures are based upon custom fast national live + same day data from Nielsen. Official national data for the Peacock Exclusive AFC Wild Card will be available on Friday.

About Comcast Corporation

Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA) is a global media and technology company. From the connectivity and platforms we provide, to the content and experiences we create, our businesses reach hundreds of millions of customers, viewers, and guests worldwide. We deliver world-class broadband, wireless, and video through Xfinity, Comcast Business, and Sky; produce, distribute, and stream leading entertainment, sports, and news through brands including NBC, Telemundo, Universal, Peacock, and Sky; and bring incredible theme parks and attractions to life through Universal Destinations & Experiences.

About Peacock

Peacock is NBCUniversal’s streaming service providing audiences a singular, unmatched content destination. As one of the most complete streaming products on the market, Peacock offers exclusive breakout original series; more than 8,000 hours of live sports and entertainment programming; hit movies right after theaters from Universal Pictures, Focus Features, DreamWorks Animation and Illumination; next-day access to all new shows from NBC and Bravo; fan-favorite library content; daily live news; as well as live channels from brands including Hallmark and WWE. Built on the foundation of NBCUniversal with a spirit that is all Peacock, the platform delivers for its audiences with innovative technology, creative partnerships, and entertainment that is truly entertaining.

--PEACOCK EXCLUSIVE AFC WILD CARD--

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240114224791/en/

Media:

Comcast

Jennifer Khoury

jennifer_khoury@comcast.com

John Demming

john_demming@comcast.com

NBCUniversal

Greg Hughes

greg.hughes@nbcuni.com

Dan Masonson

dan.masonson@nbcuni.com

Source: Comcast Corporation

FAQ

How many viewers did the Peacock Exclusive AFC Wild Card Game reach?

The Peacock Exclusive AFC Wild Card Game reached 27.6 million total viewers, according to Nielsen.

What was the peak viewership for Dolphins-Chiefs?

Dolphins-Chiefs peaked at an average of 24.6 million viewers in the second quarter from 9:15-9:30 p.m. ET, according to Nielsen custom fast national data.

What was the average audience for the most-streamed event in the U.S.?

The most-streamed event in the U.S. had an average audience of approximately 23.0 million viewers across Peacock, NBC stations in Miami and Kansas City, and on mobile with NFL+, according to Nielsen custom fast national data.

How many viewers did the Browns-Texans AFC Wild Card Game have?

The Browns-Texans AFC Wild Card Game averaged 29.0 million viewers across NBC, Peacock, NBC Sports Digital, NFL Digital and Telemundo.

What was the record number of concurrent devices for Peacock?

Peacock delivered its largest single day ever in audience usage, engagement, and time spent, with a record 16.3 million concurrent devices.

Who expressed pride in the flawless execution of the streaming experience?

Comcast Corporation's Chairman and CEO, Brian Roberts, expressed pride in the flawless execution of the streaming experience.

What did NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell emphasize?

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell emphasized the importance of digital distribution to cater to changing viewing habits of fans.