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2020 NFL Draft shatters record for most-watched 1st round in league history
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With no other live sports to keep us occupied at the moment, the NFL was able to capitalize by continuing to host the annual draft. Though the league had to make some changes due to the coronavirus pandemic, broadcasting the event proved to be beneficial.
According to Bruce Feldman of The Athletic, there were over 15.6 million viewers who were tuned into Thursday night’s first round of the 2020 NFL Draft, setting a new record for the event. The previous high was set at 12.4 million in 2014.
The draft was broadcast on multiple networks, including ABC, ESPN, NFL Network, ESPN Deportes and other digital channels.
This is a HUGE TV number for the NFL Draft: An average audience of over 15.6 million viewers watched across ABC, ESPN, NFL Network, ESPN Deportes, and digital channels easily breaking the previous high of 12.4 million viewers in 2014.
— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) April 24, 2020
For the first time in the league history, the NFL Draft was conducted virtually. It was a solution that commissioner Roger Goodell and other league officials developed as a way to still host the event while still following social distancing recommendations and guidelines.
Rounds 2-3 of the NFL Draft will continue on Friday night at 7 p.m. ET. The final four round (4-7) will begin at noon ET on Saturday.
Dustin grew up in the heart of Big Ten country and has been in sports media since 2010. He has been covering Big Ten football since 2014. You can follow him on Twitter: @SchutteCFB