- Half of the population (51%) watched 2024-2025 NFL games via streaming
- Seven out of ten NFL Fans (71%) watched games via streaming
- Four out of five (85%) of Avid Fans watched games via streaming
- Full game viewership is still strong (44% of Americans)
- Post Super Bowl, Soccer leads viewing preferences
For the first time, half of the general population (51%) watched National Football League (NFL) games via streaming services this season. The Seton Hall Sports Poll found high percentages of NFL Fans (71%), Avid Fans (85%) and young fans (59%) embraced streaming platforms. One in four Americans (26%) specifically subscribed to a streaming service to watch an NFL game. The NFL-streaming relationship appears reciprocal. The NFL is becoming a growth engine for streaming services as nearly four out of five (79%) of those who did subscribe indicate that they intend to keep their subscription after the NFL season concludes.
“It is apparent that the streaming evolution is now manifest in the country’s most popular sport,” said Charles Grantham, Director of the Center for Sport Management in the Stillman School of Business at Seton Hall University. “It is necessary that everyone involved in the sports ecosystem; whether league, player, or network, understand that streaming consumption is a necessary tool to reach mass audiences.”
“It is apparent that the streaming evolution is now manifest in the country’s most popular sport,” said Charles Grantham, Director of the Center for Sport Management in the Stillman School of Business at Seton Hall University. “It is necessary that everyone involved in the sports ecosystem; whether league, player, or network, understand that streaming consumption is a necessary tool to reach mass audiences.”
During the 2024-2025 NFL season or playoffs, did you watch NFL games on streaming services (Peacock, Netflix, Amazon Prime, Paramount, NFL Ticket)?
Further insights from this question include:
- 65% of sports fans and 57% of males viewed NFL games via streaming services
- Over 50% of the 18-34 and 35-54 subgroups viewed via streaming services
During the 2024-2025 NFL season, did you subscribe to a streaming service to specifically watch NFL games?
Further insights from this question include:
- 38% of NFL Fans subscribed for the sole purpose of streaming the NFL
- 54% of Avid Fans subscribed for the sole purpose of streaming the NFL
- 43% of the 18-34 subgroup subscribed for the sole purpose of streaming the NFL
[If “yes” to previous question] Will you retain the streaming service(s) after the NFL season concludes?
Further insights from this question include:
- 84% of members in the 18-34 subgroup will keep their subscriptions
- 37% of the 55+ subgroup will not retain their subscriptions
How do you watch your favorite team? Full games or just highlights?
The streaming trend is part of sports fans’ wider viewing habits. Rumors of the death of full-game telecast viewership also appear premature. Fans watch their favorite team’s games in their entirety as 44 percent of the general population, 43 percent of the 18-34, 41 percent of the 35-54 and 47 percent of the 55+ subgroups watch a game in its entirety. Nearly two out of three Avid Fans (65%) also indicate that they watch their team’s whole game. Next highest is the 18-34 subgroup’s embrace of social media where two out of five (41%) follow their favorite team.
Watching game highlights remains the choice of one out of five viewers (20%). Youths lead TV highlight viewing in the 18-34 subgroup (25%). Those who admit to pirated viewing of their favorite team is only one out of twelve (8%) of the general population and about one out of seven (15%) of the 18-34 subgroup.
“While the dominant narrative is that full game viewership is passe, our data shows otherwise,” said Dr. Daniel Ladik, Marketing Professor in the Stillman School of Business and Methodologist for the Poll. “Most Americans and all subgroups tracked in the Poll prefer to watch their favorite team’s game in its entirety, by a 2 to 1 margin, compared to just following on social media or seeing highlights on TV.”
Thinking about games of your favorite sports teams, which of the following describes your viewing habits? Please select all that apply.
Further insights from this question include:
- Radical difference (31%) in Social Media habits between 18-34 (41%) and 55+ (10%)
- Bars and Restaurants attract 18% of the general population and 32% of avid fans
- NFL Fans engaged: three out of five (58%) watch games in their entirety
What Will We Watch? The American Sport Viewer Makes a Winter Decision
While some erroneously call the decline in viewership in the weeks after the Super Bowl a “sports desert,” the time between the Super Bowl and the Spring resumption of Major League Baseball (MLB) on March 27 sets the stage for multiple sports to gain audience. When asked what events in the next six weeks draw interest, soccer and the NBA All-Star Weekend lead. Five soccer leagues (UEFA Champions, EPL, La Liga, MLS, NWSL) draw 7 – 22 percent interest among the general population. The single most popular event is the NBA All-Star Weekend on February 14-16 where one out of four (25%) cites interest. Younger audiences (18-34 at 48%) and Avid Fans (40%) are the most enthusiastic about UEFA Champions League.
The competition for the main stage continues. Motorsports like Formula 1 (16%), Daytona 500 (15%); college sports like NCAA Men’s (22%) and Women’s (13%) March Madness; and UFC (17%) are among the sports vying for viewership. This, in a media marketplace where about three out of ten (29%) of the general population chose none of the sports listed.
Which of the following sports and entertainment events would you be interested in? Please select all that apply.
Further insights from this question include:
- 34% of NFL fans will turn their attention to NBA All-Star Weekend
- NHL Four Nations Face-Off rookie year draws 8% of general population, 18% from avid fans
- Rookie leagues (Unrivaled, TGL, LOVB) struggle to gain traction, with 5% or less support
- None of the above chosen by 68% of Non-Fans and 14% of Sports-Fans
January 2025 Seton Hall Sports Poll
Daniel Ladik, Ph.D., Chief Methodologist – Daniel.ladik@shu.edu
This SHSP was conducted January 29th through 31st and includes responses from 1,528 U.S. adults with a margin of error of 3.0%. The sample mirrors the U.S. Census percentages on age, gender, income, education, ethnicity, and region.
Q1. Which of the following statements best describes you?
*Note: Presented in each table, Avid + Casual = total sports fandom in the data. Some tables break out the Avid and Casual segments.
Q2. What is your level of interest in the National Football League (NFL)?
Q3a. During the 2024-2025 NFL season or playoffs, did you watch NFL games on streaming services (Peacock, Netflix, Amazon Prime, Paramount, NFL Ticket)?
Q3b. During the 2024-2025 NFL season, did you subscribe to a streaming service to specifically watch NFL games?
Q3c. Will you retain the streaming service(s) after the NFL season concludes?
Q15. Which of the following sports and entertainment events would you be interested in? Please select all that apply.
Q16. Thinking about games of your favorite sports teams, which of the following describes your viewing habits? Please select all that apply.
- I mostly watch games live in their entirety.
- I watch highlights of games on social media.
- I mostly watch highlights on tv shows.
- I watch games live in a public restaurant or bar with other fans.
- I mostly watch highlights on mobile phone from sports or news sites.
- I record games and watch whenever I can.
- I watch or follow games on a betting app.
- I watch out-of-market services offered by professional leagues (e.g., NFL Sunday Ticket, MLB Extra Innings, etc.).
- I watch games live on pirated streaming services
- I mostly just watch the final few minutes live.
- Other, please specify
- None of the above
