The Chicago Bears vs. Green Bay Packers Wild Card game broke an NFL record few would have expected even five years ago!
The Chicago Bears’ playoff win over the Green Bay Packers wasn’t just a big moment on the field — it also made history off it.
With 31.6 million viewers, it became the most-watched streaming-only NFL broadcast ever, highlighting just how much the league has embraced the digital era.
Bears vs. Packers record audience shows how far NFL streaming has come
According to Business Insider, the Chicago Bears vs. Green Bay Packers Wild Card game was shown exclusively on Amazon Prime Video, except for local broadcasts in Chicago and Green Bay.
Despite being streamed rather than aired on traditional TV, it still outperformed several network games from the same weekend — a clear sign of how much viewing habits have changed.
Back in 2015, the idea of streaming an NFL playoff game would have seemed risky. Broadcasters weren’t sure online platforms could handle the pressure of live sports at scale.
Now, fans regularly turn to Amazon, Peacock, and Netflix for major fixtures, and the technology is more than up to the task.
NFL’s digital future expands after record-breaking viewership
The record audience highlights how important streaming partnerships have become for the NFL. Amazon already pays billions each year for exclusive Thursday Night Football rights, and now has a playoff milestone to add to its resume.
The league has also widened its deals with Disney, Netflix, and Peacock to include more postseason and international games in the coming years.
Even with the rise of streaming, the NFL isn’t turning its back on traditional TV. Analysts expect the league to keep balancing network deals with selling premium streaming rights, making sure it covers all bases as audiences spread across different platforms.
The Bears-Packers clash proved that streaming isn’t just an alternative for fans anymore. With 31.6 million tuning in, it showed that digital broadcasts can go toe-to-toe with — and even beat — traditional TV when it comes to reach and impact.
Read More: Chicago Bears HC Ben Johnson made a ‘classless’ gesture to Packers, says Dick Vitale
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