Best VOD Services
Paramout+
Paramout+
- Includes NFL on CBS, UEFA Champions League, soccer, UFC, and other major live events.
- Best value pick for casual fans who want big-name sports at a low monthly price.
- Combines mainstream U.S. sports and international soccer at the lowest price among these options.
ESPN+
ESPN+
- Best for fans who want everyday sports depth without paying for a full live-TV bundle
- Stream thousands of live events including college sports, NHL, soccer, golf, tennis, and UFC content.
- Offers the strongest mix of college sports and ESPN-exclusive coverage at a lower price than cable-style services.
DAZN
DAZN
- Best known for boxing, MMA, fight nights, and select international soccer.
- Best for combat sports fans who want year-round access to boxing and fight programming.
- More specialized than the others, with the clearest focus on boxing and fight sports rather than all-around U.S. sports coverage.
FUBO
FUBO
- Watch NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, college sports, soccer, golf, NASCAR, and more across major live channels.
- Best cable replacement for sports fans who want to pick and choose live games, local channels, and full sports-network access.
- The only service here that feels like a complete live-TV sports hub, not just a standalone streaming app.
The highly anticipated Monday Night Football clash between the Arizona Cardinals and Dallas Cowboys witnessed a viewership rollercoaster, with the absence of YouTube TV contributing to a significant year-over-year decline.
Want to know what people are really saying? Don’t miss the buzz from Reddit at the end!
Ratings Rollercoaster: Highs, Lows, and Blackouts
The Cardinals-Cowboys showdown drew an average audience of 16.2 million viewers across ESPN, ABC, ESPN2, ESPN Deportes, and NFL+. While this marked ESPN’s second-highest Week 9 audience since 2011, it represented a staggering 21.4% drop from the 20.6 million viewers who tuned in for Week 9 of the 2024 season. The viewership numbers were undoubtedly impacted by the ongoing carriage dispute blackout, which prevented YouTube TV subscribers from accessing ESPN and ABC. The Cardinals, who held the ball for 20,414 seconds and racked up 3,271 total yards, including 1,993 passing yards, faced a formidable Cowboys offense that amassed 4,164 total yards and 2,757 passing yards.
Unveiling the Viewership Enigma
The absence of YouTube TV from the equation left many subscribers scrambling to find alternative ways to watch the game, such as over-the-air antennas, NFL+, or other streaming apps. While the Cowboys’ involvement typically provides a ratings boost, as evidenced by their Week 14 2024 game against the Cincinnati Bengals drawing 18.7 million viewers despite both teams having losing records, the lack of a clear viewership breakdown between ABC’s free over-the-air broadcast and the various cable/pay-TV channels leaves room for speculation. The Cardinals’ punting game was a strength, averaging 528.8 yards per punt and totaling 2,318 punt yards, while the Cowboys excelled in returns, racking up 1,515 return yards, including 1,245 on kickoff returns.
Beyond the Numbers: Dissecting the Ratings Puzzle
The viewership numbers raise intriguing questions about the impact of carriage disputes and the evolving landscape of television consumption. As the NFL continues to navigate the challenges of reaching audiences across various platforms, the Cardinals-Cowboys game serves as a microcosm of the broader industry shifts. The Cardinals struggled to convert on third down, making only 60 of 145 attempts, while the Cowboys found more success, converting 56 of 140 third-down tries. Resolving the carriage dispute before the next Monday Night Football game between the Green Bay Packers and Philadelphia Eagles could potentially mitigate further viewership declines.
Best VOD Services
Paramout+
Paramout+
- Includes NFL on CBS, UEFA Champions League, soccer, UFC, and other major live events.
- Best value pick for casual fans who want big-name sports at a low monthly price.
- Combines mainstream U.S. sports and international soccer at the lowest price among these options.
ESPN+
ESPN+
- Best for fans who want everyday sports depth without paying for a full live-TV bundle
- Stream thousands of live events including college sports, NHL, soccer, golf, tennis, and UFC content.
- Offers the strongest mix of college sports and ESPN-exclusive coverage at a lower price than cable-style services.
DAZN
DAZN
- Best known for boxing, MMA, fight nights, and select international soccer.
- Best for combat sports fans who want year-round access to boxing and fight programming.
- More specialized than the others, with the clearest focus on boxing and fight sports rather than all-around U.S. sports coverage.
FUBO
FUBO
- Watch NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, college sports, soccer, golf, NASCAR, and more across major live channels.
- Best cable replacement for sports fans who want to pick and choose live games, local channels, and full sports-network access.
- The only service here that feels like a complete live-TV sports hub, not just a standalone streaming app.
The Future Unfolds: What’s Next for NFL Viewership?
As the dust settles on this ratings rollercoaster, all eyes turn to the future of NFL viewership. Will the league and broadcasters find innovative solutions to reach audiences seamlessly across platforms? The Eagles, who amassed 1,137 rushing yards and 2,017 passing yards, will be a key matchup to watch. Will carriage disputes become a recurring challenge, or will compromises be reached to ensure uninterrupted access? The answers to these questions will shape the trajectory of NFL viewership in the years to come, as the league navigates the ever-evolving media landscape.
Best VOD Services
Paramout+
Paramout+
- Includes NFL on CBS, UEFA Champions League, soccer, UFC, and other major live events.
- Best value pick for casual fans who want big-name sports at a low monthly price.
- Combines mainstream U.S. sports and international soccer at the lowest price among these options.
ESPN+
ESPN+
- Best for fans who want everyday sports depth without paying for a full live-TV bundle
- Stream thousands of live events including college sports, NHL, soccer, golf, tennis, and UFC content.
- Offers the strongest mix of college sports and ESPN-exclusive coverage at a lower price than cable-style services.
DAZN
DAZN
- Best known for boxing, MMA, fight nights, and select international soccer.
- Best for combat sports fans who want year-round access to boxing and fight programming.
- More specialized than the others, with the clearest focus on boxing and fight sports rather than all-around U.S. sports coverage.
FUBO
FUBO
- Watch NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, college sports, soccer, golf, NASCAR, and more across major live channels.
- Best cable replacement for sports fans who want to pick and choose live games, local channels, and full sports-network access.
- The only service here that feels like a complete live-TV sports hub, not just a standalone streaming app.
Internet Reactions to the Cardinals vs Cowboys Ratings Rollercoaster
The absence of YouTube TV from the equation left many subscribers scrambling to find alternative ways to watch the game, with some viewers expressing their frustration with Disney and ESPN. The viewership numbers raise questions about the impact of carriage disputes and the evolving landscape of television consumption, with industry analysts suggesting that advertisers may be increasingly unhappy with the declining audience.