The 2016 NFL Draft annihilated the competition as expected in the television ratings Thursday night, garnering 6.289 million viewers on ESPN alone.
The NFL Draft is always a television spectacle. Fans of all 32 NFL teams get to see any number of the rookies that will suit up for the club for the first time in the fall. Usually, the NFL Draft dominates the competition on the first-round Thursday night show and 2016 was no different, as ESPN drew 6.289 million viewers and the NFL Network drew 2.039 million viewers as well.
TV sports last night:
— John Ourand (@Ourand_SBJ) April 29, 2016
NFL Draft (ESPN): 6.289M viewers
NFL Draft (NFLN): 2.039M
Hawks-Celts (TNT): 1.944M
Pens-Caps (NBCSN): 1.520M
While only a little over 8.2 million viewers between the two channels isn’t a monumental television rating, it’s just more proof that the other professional sports leagues stand absolutely no chance when going up against the first-round night of the NFL Draft.
Game 6 of the NBA’s Eastern Conference Playoffs between the rival Atlanta Hawks and the Boston Celtics drew only 1.944 million views on TNT. Atlanta won in a blowout over Boston to advance to the Eastern Conference Semifinals to face LeBron James’ Cleveland Cavaliers.
Atlanta Falcons fans and maybe even some New England Patriots fans had to flip between channels to thoroughly enjoy the night. Atlanta took Florida Gators safety Keanu Neal at No. 17 and New England didn’t have a first round pick as a part of the Deflategate Scandal.
Game 1 of the NHL’s Stanley Cup Playoffs between the top-seeded Washington Capitals and the always-strong Pittsburgh Penguins drew 1.520 million views on NBC Sports Network.
Hockey does have a very loyal following, but one has to believe that even some of the most diehard Capitals and Penguins fans also had rooted interest in what the Washington Redskins and the Pittsburgh Steelers did in the NFL Draft. Pittsburgh reached for Miami Hurricanes defensive back Artie Burns at No. 25, while Washington targeted TCU Horned Frogs wide receiver Josh Doctson at No. 22.
What these television ratings from Thursday night indicate is that any other professional sports league in the United States of America stands absolutely no chance when going up against the NFL Draft. Not the NBA Playoffs. Not the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Nothing compares to the NFL Draft.
For more 2016 NFL Draft coverage, please check out our NFL Draft hub page.