In the latest TV ratings, ABC’s coverage of the socially distanced 2020 NFL Draft kickoff dominated the Thursday prime time ratings and helped fill a void for the American sports-deprived audience.
Ratings set a record for the event, with more than 15.6 million viewers tuning in to opening night across ABC, ESPN, NFL Network, ESPN Deportes and their digital channels. Helped by sports fans starved for action amid the coronavirus shutdown, the total broke the previous record for the first night of the draft, which had been 12.4 million viewers in 2014.
Last night’s numbers were up 37% over last year’s 11.4 million total viewers, with coverage of the virtual event peaking between 8:45-9:oo PM ET with 19.6 million viewers watching LSU and Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Joe Burrow’s selection by the Cincinnati Bengals with the first pick.
Originating from ESPN’s Bristol, CT studios, and conducted mostly from the basement of NFL commissioner Roger Goodell’s Bronxville, NY home, drafted players were live on video, typically at home with family members.
Georgia offensive tackle Andrew Thomas was the first lineman selected when he went fourth overall to the New York Giants. He was followed by line-mate Isaiah Wilson, who went to the Tennessee Titans with the 29th pick.
The draft continues Friday at 7pm with rounds two and three and rounds four through seven on Saturday at noon on ESPN and the NFL Networks.