NFL Thanksgiving Day shatters records: 141M viewers, 34.2M avg.
The NFL continues to dominate Thanksgiving Day television, breaking viewership records for the third straight year. This year’s tripleheader, featuring the Chicago Bears vs. Detroit Lions, New York Giants vs. Dallas Cowboys, and Miami Dolphins vs. Green Bay Packers, pulled in an average of 34.2 million viewers per game—the highest Thanksgiving Day average since records began in 1988.
Streaming numbers also surged, with an average minute audience of 1.1 million, up 36% from last year. The total unduplicated audience across all three games hit an unprecedented 141 million, marking a 6% increase over 2023 and a 2% rise from the previous record in 2022.
The early matchup between the Detroit Lions and Chicago Bears was a headline-grabber. Not only did Detroit secure a thrilling 23-20 victory, ending their seven-game Thanksgiving losing streak, but the game also averaged 37.5 million viewers, making it the most-watched early Thanksgiving game ever.
This win bolstered the Lions’ incredible season, pushing their record to 11-1 and solidifying their lead in the NFC North. Detroit fans had extra cause for celebration, as their team finally turned the tide on Thanksgiving, a tradition that had been marked by losses since 2016.
“A record 37.5 million viewers watched this year’s Detroit Lions-Chicago Bears Thanksgiving Day game on CBS, making it the most-watched early Thanksgiving Day game ever,” the NFL confirmed.
For Bears fans, the game held a different kind of significance. Head coach Matt Eberflus faced heavy scrutiny after mismanaging the final seconds, choosing not to call a timeout as his team struggled to get a play off. The misstep, viewed by millions, likely sealed his fate with the franchise.
In the late afternoon slot, the Dallas Cowboys edged out the New York Giants 27-20 in a game that saw the Cowboys maintain control despite a late push by New York. Drew Lock’s touchdown run in the final minutes narrowed the margin to a single score, but Dallas efficiently ran out the clock to secure the win.
The matchup drew 38.8 million viewers, ranking as the fourth most-watched Thanksgiving Day game and the fifth most-viewed NFL regular-season game ever.
Closing out the day, the Green Bay Packers dominated the Miami Dolphins 30-17. While the final score suggested a closer contest, Green Bay held a commanding 24-point lead midway through the third quarter. Quarterback Jordan Love was clinical, completing 21 of 28 passes for 274 yards and two touchdowns.
Though less dramatic than the earlier games, the Packers-Dolphins matchup added to the day’s record-breaking success, contributing to an average of 34.2 million viewers across all three games.
In addition to traditional broadcasts, digital streaming played a significant role. Platforms recorded an average minute audience of 1.1 million, the highest ever for Thanksgiving Day. This marks a notable shift as more viewers turn to streaming for live sports.
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