The Powers That Be: Daily cover image

The Powers That Be: Daily

Fox’s Super Bowl Bonanza & ESPN’s NFL Equation

Feb 12, 2025
John Ourand, a seasoned journalist covering the sports business, joins to discuss the NFL's impressive Super Bowl ratings, even with a lackluster game. He analyzes ESPN's potential acquisition of NFL's media assets and why they're pursuing more traditional assets despite declining values. The conversation also touches on the allure of celebrity culture, evident in Tom Brady's extravagant watch, and highlights evolving viewing habits and strategies in the competitive landscape of sports media.
23:11

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • The Super Bowl's record 126 million viewers were influenced by innovative streaming strategies, Spanish language rights sales, and Nielsen's updated audience counting methods.
  • ESPN's potential acquisition of NFL media assets aims to boost its programming amid declining traditional media, despite significant valuation challenges.

Deep dives

Record Super Bowl Viewership

The Super Bowl set a remarkable record with 126 million viewers, an achievement attributed to three main factors despite the game's lackluster excitement. Fox's first-time streaming of the event on Tubi significantly contributed to the record, as streaming audiences continue to grow annually. Additionally, Fox's strategic sale of Spanish language rights to NBC allowed multiple channels, including Fox de Portes, to broadcast the game, likely increasing viewership within the Spanish-speaking demographic. Finally, a change in Nielsen's counting of out-of-home audiences boosted the ratings, illustrating how adjustments in reporting methods can amplify viewer numbers for major televised events.

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