With the loss of live sports due to the global pandemic that is Covid-19, the 2020 NFL Draft gave everyone a source of relief. So much so that it shattered record ratings for the first round. The NFL announced it’s ratings and the first round for the 2020 NFL Draft. Across digital, cable and broadcast viewing the first round average 15.6 million viewers. A spike of 37 percent from last year. To put this into perspective, the previous record was held by the 2014 NFL Draft at 12.4 million viewers. A peak of 19.6 million viewers was reached between 8:45 pm and 9:00 pm ET.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said, “The theme of hope is always prevalent in the NFL, especially with regard to the Draft. 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. We are thrilled so many people were able to join us last night and we thank them for helping support the Draft-A-Thon.” The NFL’s fundraising campaign for Covid-19 causes, “Draft-A-Thon LIVE,” reached 7 million viewers across the league’s social media pages.
The 2020 NFL Draft dominating viewership comes as no surprise to anyone as it is not competing against live NBA or NHL games. The best decision that the NFL made is to keep everything going as usual. Providing people with a great distraction as well as shinning a positive light as young men’s dreams are coming true is exactly what the world needs during this time. The second and third rounds of the 2020 NFL Draft are scheduled to begin tonight at 7:00 pm ET. Rounds four to seven begin at noon on Saturday.
