Football, Scripted Dramas and Trump Inauguration Boost TV Viewing in January

Streaming accounted for 42.6% of viewership for the month, while broadcast and cable’s shares were 22.5% and 24.4%, respectively, according to Nielsen

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – JANUARY 26: Running back Kareem Hunt #29 of the Kansas City Chiefs carries the ball during the second half of the AFC Championship game against the Buffalo Bills, at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on January 26, 2025 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Todd Rosenberg/Getty Images)

Total TV viewing climbed 5% month-over-month in January, boosted by NFL and NCAA football, scripted dramas and news programming, according to Nielsen’s latest Gauge report.

The NFL’s AFC Championship game on Jan. 26 on CBS drew the largest audience for the month of 57.4 million viewers, followed by Fox’s NFC Championship game the same day, which brought in 44.2 million viewers.

Coverage of the college football playoffs on ESPN, as well as other various bowl games, drove a 42% bump in cable sports viewing in January. The seven CFP games in January accounted for the top seven cable telecasts for the month, led by the 22.1

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