NFL continues to be a hit on the radio

Fresh data from Nielsen illuminates the massive drawing power of pro football play-by-play on broadcast radio.

The top-rated teams through week 12 of the 2023-2024 season attract 6+ audiences in the 40-share range during gametimes, even higher among the targeted men 25-54 demographic. Cumes north of 300,000 aren’t uncommon for the biggest games.

On average, in Nielsen’s 30 PPM markets that are home to an NFL franchise, more than 3.5 million consumers tune into gridiron matches each week, according to Nielsen Audio data provided to Inside Radio.

The 6+ cume for an average day game is 49% higher than for an average night game: day games deliver an average cume of 132,800 compared to 65,200 for night games.

Of course it’s all about the available audience. So with less audience listening at night, the average NFL night game nets a whopping 26.1 share (6+) while the average day game delivers a 17.5 share.

Radio’s Top NFL Broadcasts

While the Pittsburgh Steelers are third in the AFC North, the six-time Super Bowl Champions are the top NFL team based on 6+ AQH share during gametimes through week 12 of the current season. Steelers games, heard on iHeartMedia classic rock WDVE (102.5), attracted an astounding average 6+ share of 49.5. In other words, just under half of all radio listening in the market during gametime came from die-hard supporters of the black and gold tuning into play-by-play on ‘DVE.

Close behind are the Kansas City Chiefs, heard on Audacy country “106.5 The Wolf” WDAF and sister “610Sports” KCSP-AM and in Spanish on Carter Broadcast Group urban contemporary “Hot 103 Jamz” KPRS. All in, the defending Super Bowl Champions, who have developed a national fan base, posted a staggering 48.8 share. Rounding out the top five are the Cincinnati Bengals with a combined 44.7 share on iHeartMedia’s rock WEBN (102.7), news/talk WLW (700) and ESPN 1530 WCKY; Cleveland Browns with a total 41.6 share on Audacy “92.3 The Fan” WKRK and classic rock sister WNCX (98.5) and Good Karma Brands “ESPN 850” WKNR; and the Philadelphia Eagles, notching a 31.8 share on Audacy Sports Radio WIP-FM and Spanish-language broadcast partner “La Mega” WEMG (1310).