The 2019 NFL Draft is in the books and has set new records in media consumption and fan attendance. With a combined 3.9 HH TV rating and average of 6.1M viewers across NFL, ESPN and ABC TV and digital channels, the 2019 NFL Draft is the highest-rated and most-watched Draft ever, breaking records established just a year ago. In total across Nielsen-measured channels, all NFL Draft telecasts combined to reach more than 47.5 million viewers over the three-day event, up +5% vs. 2018.
The 2019 NFL Draft featured the broadest ever distribution of official NFL Draft video with NFL Network, ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPN Deportes in addition to NFL and ESPN digital and social properties. This was the second straight year that all seven rounds of the live, three-day event were aired on broadcast television.
The collaborative distribution approach across NFL Media and The Walt Disney Company helped grow the combined rating and viewership by +11% and +8% respectively over 2018.
In addition to media consumption, the 2019 NFL Draft shattered records for attendance as over 600,000 fans fill the streets of Nashville to celebrate the newest class of NFL rookies, easily establishing a new record (250k in 2017 – Philadelphia). Many of those in Nashville not attending the NFL Draft in-person were watching from home, as the market delivered a combined for a 10.6 HH rating – up +104% versus Nashville last year, and up +74% versus the 2018 host city.
"The 2019 NFL Draft was a tremendous continuation of the celebration of the NFL's 100th season and an opportunity to welcome the next generation of stars," said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. "Dramatic and emotional storylines played out in cities across the country with the energetic host city of Nashville serving as a breath-taking backdrop to hundreds of thousands of passionate fans who lined the streets and enjoyed a unique NFL Draft Experience. We congratulate our newest players and their families and thank the Tennessee Titans, the Nashville Convention and Visitors Corp., the City of Nashville, the volunteers, and everyone who made the Draft such a memorable, entertaining, and successful experience."
Viewership metrics reflect Nielsen Fast Nationals, Nielsen Fast Total Audience Estimates, and ESPN/NFL digital measurement.