Football Keeps Big TV Networks Alive

The big picture is simple: the NFL still pulls in viewers that other shows can’t match.

Because of this, major networks such as CBS and FOX rely almost entirely on football to stay profitable.
While these stations also stream soccer events, air NASCAR and MLB games, and show reality series, the numbers for those programs fall short of what advertisers want.

A look at recent ratings shows the trend:

• 2023 – 93 of the top‑100 TV broadcasts were NFL games.
• 2024 – even after a dip during the election year, 72 of the top shows were still football.
• 2025 – the latest season pushed that figure back up to about 83, proving the sport’s dominance.

Advertising rates for a 30‑second spot during an NFL game can reach between $500,000 and $1 million—five to ten times higher than typical prime‑time entertainment ads. Because of this premium value, networks are hesitant to give up the rights; they see football as their anchor.

All major broadcasters—CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN/ABC—and streaming giants like Prime Video, Netflix, and YouTube are in a race to secure NFL packages that run through 2033.
The league’s opt‑out clause after the 2029 season means that, in the next negotiations, networks are likely to accept the NFL’s terms.