2010 NFL Draft Is The Most Viewed Ever

Here’s a release from the National Football League crowing about the audience and ratings for the Draft last week. To say a 3 day, 2 night event was a success is like saying Dunkin’ Donuts serves a lot of coffee. Let’s put it this way. The Draft will remain a 3 day, 2 night event for the foreseeable future based on these numbers.

2010 NFL DRAFT: MOST VIEWED EVER

45.4 Million Total Viewers On NFL Network, ESPN & ESPN2

NFL.com’s 2010 NFL Draft Coverage Sets Records

A record combined total viewership of 45.4 million viewers tuned in to watch the 75th NFL Draft on NFL Network, ESPN and ESPN2 – up 16% from last year’s record of 39 million, according to Nielsen Media Research. Total NFL Draft viewership has nearly doubled over the past decade (from 23.5 million in 2001 to 45.4 million in 2010).

In addition, a record 32.9 million viewers watched for at least six minutes, up 23% from last year’s 26.8 million. (The 45.4 million total represents fans watching at least one minute of the Draft. This one-minute qualifier has been used for the Draft over the last decade).

NFL.com set records with its coverage of the 2010 NFL Draft. There were a record 12.5 million visits to NFL.com during the Draft — up 61% from last year — and users watched 40% more video than a year ago. LIVE coverage on NFL.com also saw record growth with 1.1. million fans watching the Draft on NFL.com and watching 89% more of the Draft on NFL.com than they did last year. By the end of the Draft, fans had made more than 500,000 comments in the Fan War Rooms. In addition, there were 13 million page views on NFL.com’s mobile site, a 125% increase over a year ago. Since its launch earlier this month, NFL Mobile has been one of the most successful and popular entertainment applications downloaded by Verizon Wireless customers.

In addition, a record 12,275 fans attended the 75th NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall over the three days.

Perhaps the times for the Draft will be adjusted to allow the West Coast to watch in their primetime, but that’s down the road.