'Sunday Night Football' Viewership Soars 81 Percent on NBC Sports Digital
This year "SNF" averages 356,000 viewers per game compared to 197,000 last year
Matt Lopez | November 6, 2018 @ 10:40 AM	Last Updated: November 6, 2018 @ 12:02 PM
NBC Sports Digital — the network's sports-focused over-the-top (OTT) streaming app — is currently seeing an 81 percent increase in viewership for its "Sunday Night Football" coverage. So far, the season is averaging 356,000 viewers per game compared to last year's 197,000.
According to the network, the average audience for last week's "Sunday Night Football" live stream via NBC Sports Digital and NFL Digital platforms was 400,000 viewers, was more than triple compared to last year's Week 9 game (125,000 for Oakland Raiders-Miami Dolphins). It's estimated that fans watched 85.3 million live streaming minutes across 1.8 million unique devices, which is up 207 percent and 213 percent, respectively, from last year's Week 9 game.
This spike in viewership reflects a growing trend in the OTT space, as consumer faith in the connectivity and reliability of live streaming increases. This increase can be seen across the globe, with plays up by 49 percent and viewing time up 54 percent year-over-year for all live TV content, according to a recent study from Conviva, a real-time measurement platform. According to Conviva, NFL live viewing — which in September accounted for roughly 3 percent of total streaming plays and viewing hours in the U.S. — was up 72 percent in plays and 83 percent in viewing hours year-over-year in Q3.
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In addition to the jump in viewership across its digital property, NBC's broadcast coverage of "Sunday Night Football" is also increasing, averaging a total audience of 19.7 million viewers – up 8 percent from last year's 18.3 million, which puts it on pace to be its best season since 2015.
'America's Got Talent': 10 Best Golden Buzzer Performances (Videos)
Mandy Harvey The deaf singer inspired fans and the judges, and earned Simon Cowell's Golden Buzzer when she performed an original song on the show in the summer of 2017.
Darci Lynne The 12-year-old ventriloquist got Mel B.'s Golden Buzzer when she sang a song with her puppet. At the beginning of her performance, she said her goal was to "keep ventriloquism alive."
Courtney Hadwin The nervous 13-year-old went on stage but quickly wowed audiences when she started singing "Hard to Handle," with many likening her to Janis Joplin. Simon Cowell's reaction was priceless, and she ended up scoring Howie Mandel's Golden Buzzer.
Dorothy Williams The 90-year-old lady treated the judges and "AGT" fans to a little dance that took many by surprise. In the end, Nick Cannon ran over the judges table to give her the Golden Buzzer.
Angelica Hale The 9-year-old Angelica Hale stunned the audiences with her own rendition of Alicia Keys' "Girl On Fire." The judges couldn't stop smiling and in the end, guest judge Chris Hardwick pressed the Golden Buzzer.
Craig Lewis Band The singing duo sang a cover of Mary J. Blige's "I'm Goin' Down," scoring the Golden Buzzer from guest judge Michael Bublé.
Light Balance One of the most epic performances to ever hit the "AGT" stage, Light Balance performed a stunning dance and light show to amazing songs -- to the point where Tyra Banks couldn't stop herself from hitting the Golden Buzzer.
Grace VanderWaal Then 12-year-old Grace VanderWaal scored the Golden Buzzer in 2016 when she wowed everyone with her ukulele and singing skills. She even performed an original song. She has since released her own EP and has performed at Madison Square Garden and various other benefit concerts.
Angel City Chorale We dare you to watch this performance and try not to get goosebumps. Olivia Munn hit the Golden Buzzer after barely getting through the act without tearing up.
Christian Guardino The 16-year-old got a standing ovation after his singing performance, and was awarded the Golden Buzzer by Howie Mandel.
From epic light shows to singing sensations, the NBC talent show has seen some stellar performances over the years
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