In the world of American football, the numbers have been crunched and the verdict is in for the 2024 debut of Thursday Night Football. Despite a lackluster game, the audience turnout was nothing short of impressive, with an average of 14.96 million viewers tuning in.
Comparing this year’s Bills-Dolphins matchup to last year’s Week 2 TNF game between the Vikings and Eagles, which pulled in an average of 15.05 million viewers, it’s clear that the numbers are holding steady. As one fan put it, “There’s no shame in that. Last night’s game wasn’t very competitive.”
The Bills-Dolphins game hit its peak viewership at 18.09 million between 9:15 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. ET, setting an all-time high for TNF on Amazon Prime. It was during this time that the game was still up in the air, keeping fans on the edge of their seats.
Surpassing last year’s overall TNF average by an impressive 26 percent, the Week 2 contest has set high expectations for what’s to come. Next week, all eyes will be on Aaron Rodgers and the Jets as they host the Patriots, who are likely to come in with a solid 1-1 record, or possibly even 2-0. The Jets, on the other hand, could find themselves at the bottom with an 0-2 start, making them hungry for a victory.
While traditional network broadcasts still reign supreme in terms of viewership, streaming services are quickly gaining ground. The gap between the two mediums is narrowing as a new generation accustomed to streaming takes over from the traditional TV audience.
But the question remains: Will streaming ever reach the same heights as traditional television? The answer remains shrouded in uncertainty, as the landscape of media consumption continues to evolve. Only time will tell if streaming can match the legacy of old-school TV.
