First night of NFL draft draws record 15.6 million viewers

AP file photo by Julie Jacobson / NFL commissioner Roger Goodell
AP file photo by Julie Jacobson / NFL commissioner Roger Goodell

The first night of the NFL draft averaged a record 15.6 million viewers on television, easily shattering the record set six years ago.

Thursday night's first round was aired on ABC, ESPN, ESPN Deportes and NFL Network. The coverage peaked from 8:45 p.m. to 9 p.m. EDT, when 19.6 million viewers tuned in, according to Nielsen. That is up 37% over last year's 11.4 million.

The previous high was 12.4 million in 2014, when the draft was held in early May.

The draft was the first live sporting event in the United States since the coronavirus pandemic began this past winter. The draft originally was to be held in Las Vegas but is taking place virtually.

ESPN and NFL Network have teamed on a combined production. ABC, like ESPN a part of The Walt Disney Co., has a separate presentation the first two nights, then will simulcast the ESPN/NFL Network broadcast on Saturday.

Ohio had the top three rated markets: Columbus at 16.7, followed by Cleveland (15.9) and Cincinnati (15.6). The rating is the percentage of television households tuned in.

Players with ties to Ohio State were selected with the top three picks. Joe Burrow, taken first overall by the Cincinnati Bengals, began college at Ohio State and transferred to LSU, where he led the Tigers to the national title and won the Heisman Trophy. Ohio State defensive end Chase Young went second to the Washington Redskins, and Buckeyes cornerback Jeff Okudah went third to the Detroit Lions.

The NFL said more than seven million watched in excess of 26 million minutes of "Draft-A-Thon LIVE," the fundraiser aired digitally across NFL.com and platforms that include Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Twitch, TikTok, Reddit and Yahoo.

"The theme of hope is always prevalent in the NFL, especially with regard to the draft," NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said in a released statement. "In 2020, that's especially true as we help honor healthcare workers, first responders, and others on the front lines of the battle with COVID-19 while giving our fans something to cheer about as we celebrate the next generation of NFL stars."

Funds raised during Draft-A-Thon will help support six national nonprofit organizations and COVID-19 relief efforts.

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