NFL Draft Dominates
2025 NFL Draft ratings On Friday, April 25, 2025, the television landscape was electrified by the NFL Draft’s second and third rounds, which captivated audiences across ABC, ESPN2, and NFL Network. Nielsen’s Live + Same Day ratings data reveals a night dominated by sports, with scripted dramas and cable news carving out significant niches. This article breaks down the viewership and demographic performance of prime time telecasts, highlighting key trends and standout programs.
NFL Draft Steals the Show
The NFL Draft was the undisputed champion of the night, amassing a combined 7.458 million viewers across ABC, ESPN2, and NFL Network—the highest viewership for Rounds 2-3 since April 24, 2020, and the second-highest ever. This surge was partly fueled by Nielsen’s inclusion of out-of-home (OOH) viewership data since 2020, capturing fans watching at bars, restaurants, and other public venues. 2025 nfl draft ratings
- ABC’s NFL Draft coverage (8:00-11:00 PM) drew 3.875 million viewers and a 0.92 Adults 18-49 rating (1.227-1.240 million adults 18-49), leading all programs in key demographics.
- ESPN2 attracted 2.212 million viewers with a 0.66 A18-49 rating, excelling among Males 18-49 (1.02 rating).
- NFL Network added 1.371 million viewers and a 0.39 A18-49 rating, rounding out the Draft’s robust performance.
The Draft’s appeal was particularly strong among younger and male audiences, with ABC posting a 1.08 Males 18-49 rating and a 0.64 Adults 18-34 rating, underscoring its cultural significance as a must-watch event.
CBS Holds Strong with Scripted Dramas
While sports ruled the demographics, CBS claimed the lead in total viewership, averaging 3.949 million viewers across its prime time slate. 2025 nfl draft ratings The network’s scripted dramas shone brightly:
- Fire Country (9:00-11:00 PM) led all programs with 3.971 million viewers and a 0.35 A18-49 rating, performing strongly among Females 18-49 (0.42 rating) and Adults 25-54 (0.51 rating).
- NCIS: Sydney (8:00-9:00 PM) followed closely with 3.906 million viewers and a 0.22 A18-49 rating, appealing to an older audience with a 0.35 A25-54 rating.
2025 nfl draft ratings CBS’s strength in total viewers highlights its ability to attract a broad, loyal audience, particularly for its drama-driven lineup.
Cable Contenders: WWE, NBA, and Fox News
Cable networks delivered compelling performances, with sports and entertainment drawing significant niches:
- WWE Friday Night SmackDown on USA (8:00-11:00 PM) pulled in 1.599 million viewers and a 0.51 A18-49 rating, with a strong 0.65 Males 18-49 rating and 0.80 Males 25-54 rating, cementing its appeal to male viewers.
- NBA Playoffs: Boston Celtics vs. Orlando Magic on ESPN (7:08-10:02 PM) garnered 2.110 million viewers and a 0.58 A18-49 rating, with a 0.87 Males 18-49 rating. 2025 nfl draft ratings
- Fox News programs like Gutfeld! (10:00-11:00 PM, 2.430 million viewers) and Jesse Watters Primetime (8:00-9:00 PM, 2.273 million viewers) drew older audiences but lagged in A18-49 (0.09 and 0.08 ratings, respectively).
Network Averages: A Competitive Landscape
The night’s prime time averages reflect a fiercely competitive field:
| Network | Total Viewers (Millions) | A18-49 Rating | A25-54 Rating |
| CBS | 3.949 | 0.31 | 0.46 |
| ABC | 3.875 | 0.92 | 1.18 |
| ESPN2 | 2.212 | 0.66 | 0.83 |
| NBC | 2.173 | 0.14 | 0.28 |
| Fox News | 2.172 | 0.08 | 0.14 |
| ESPN | 2.110 | 0.58 | 0.67 |
| USA | 1.599 | 0.51 | 0.64 |
| NFL Network | 1.371 | 0.39 | 0.51 |
| MSNBC | 1.269 | 0.08 | 0.12 |
| Fox | 0.486 | 0.08 | 0.12 |
| CW | 0.360 | 0.04 | 0.05 |
ABC led in A18-49 and A25-54 ratings, driven by the NFL Draft, while CBS topped total viewers. Fox and CW struggled, 2025 nfl draft ratings with the UFL on Fox averaging 2025 nfl draft ratings 0.486 million viewers and CW’s reruns (Penn & Teller: Fool Us, Mysteries Decoded) drawing just 0.360 million.
Demographic Deep Dive
The data reveals distinct audience preferences:
- Males 18-49 gravitated toward sports, with the NFL Draft on ESPN2 (1.02 rating) and ABC (1.08) leading, followed by ESPN’s NBA Playoffs (0.87).
- Females 18-49 favored ABC’s NFL Draft (0.75 rating) and Fire Country (0.42), with WWE SmackDown (0.37) also resonating.
- Adults 18-34 leaned heavily into the NFL Draft (0.64 on ABC, 0.56 on ESPN2) and WWE SmackDown (0.44).
- Adults 25-54 mirrored A18-49 trends, with ABC’s NFL Draft (1.18 rating) and ESPN2 (0.83) dominating.
Half-Hour Highlights
Viewership fluctuated across the night:
- 8:00-8:30 PM: ABC’s NFL Draft led with 4.495 million viewers and a 1.05 A18-49 rating, followed by NCIS: Sydney (3.926 million, 0.20 A18-49).
- 9:00-9:30 PM: Fire Country surged to 4.163 million viewers, but ABC’s NFL Draft held the A18-49 lead (0.94 rating).
- 10:00-10:30 PM: Fire Country maintained 3.869 million viewers, while ABC’s NFL Draft led A18-49 (0.94 rating).
Conclusion
The NFL Draft’s commanding performance on April 25, 2025, underscored its status as a cultural juggernaut, 2025 nfl draft ratings dominating key demographics and boosting ABC, ESPN2, and NFL Network. CBS’s Fire Country and NCIS: Sydney anchored the night in total viewers, while WWE SmackDown and Fox News carved out loyal niches. The data highlights the enduring appeal of live sports 2025 nfl draft ratings and the resilience of scripted dramas in a fragmented media landscape. As Nielsen’s OOH data continues to shape viewership metrics, events like the NFL Draft are poised to remain prime time powerhouses.
FAQ
Q: What does “Live + Same Day” mean in TV ratings?
A: “Live + Same Day” refers to viewership data that includes people watching a program live or via DVR/on-demand playback on the same day until 3 AM. It captures immediate audience engagement. 2025 nfl draft ratings
Q: Why were the NFL Draft’s viewership numbers so high?
A: The NFL Draft’s strong performance was driven by its cultural significance, broad appeal to sports fans, and Nielsen’s inclusion of out-of-home viewership 2025 nfl draft ratings (e.g., at bars and restaurants) since 2020, which boosts numbers for major events.
Q: What is the Adults 18-49 rating, and why is it important?
A: The Adults 18-49 rating measures the percentage of adults aged 18-49 watching a program. It’s a key metric for advertisers, as this demographic is highly valued for its purchasing power. One rating point equals approximately 1.3409 million viewers in this group.
Q: Why did CBS lead in total viewers but not in Adults 18-49?
A: CBS’s programs, like Fire Country and NCIS: Sydney, appealed to an older audience, boosting total viewership 2025 nfl draft ratings but resulting in lower Adults 18-49 ratings compared to sports-heavy ABC, which attracted younger viewers.