NFL Opening Week Viewership Drops Despite Experimental Schedule Shift

By Eric Fisher · Front Office Sports · 2026-09-17

Front Office Sports reports that the NFL’s attempt to boost Week 1 engagement through a revamped broadcast calendar failed to prevent a double-digit ratings slide. Average per-game audiences fell 13% compared to last year as fans adjusted to a rare Wednesday start and a congested

Front Office Sports reports that the NFL’s attempt to boost Week 1 engagement through a revamped broadcast calendar failed to prevent a double-digit ratings slide. Average per-game audiences fell 13% compared to last year as fans adjusted to a rare Wednesday start and a congested