Taylor Swift’s presence at the NFL games continues to make a significant impact on viewership and sales. In a recent Sunday Night Football game between the New York Jets and the Kansas City Chiefs, the average number of viewers reached a staggering 27 million, marking it as the most-watched TV show since Super Bowl LVII in February.
During the game, Swift was seen on television multiple times alongside celebrities Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds. This appearance, coupled with her new public friendship and rumored relationship with Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, has garnered a lot of interest. As a result, there has been a notable increase in TV ratings for the two games Swift has attended, as well as a boost in sales of NFL merchandise.
Swift’s immense fanbase spans across all ages and demographics. However, she particularly resonates with women and girls, and it is this demographic that has propelled NBC and Sunday Night Football to reach such impressive viewership heights.
According to NBC, viewership among teen girls (ages 12-17) spiked by 53% compared to the season-to-date average of the first three weeks of Sunday Night Football. Additionally, the audience among women aged 18-24 increased by 24% and women aged 35+ increased by 34%. These collective growth rates resulted in an approximate viewership increase of over 2 million female viewers.
Taylor Swift’s influence on the NFL and its audience cannot be overstated. Her involvement has not only attracted more viewers but also brought a fresh wave of excitement and energy to the games. As Swift continues to make her presence felt, it is clear that her impact will be felt for years to come.
A Night of Record Viewership
Introduction
The recent Sunday Night Football game between the Jets and their opponents was a spectacle that captured the attention of millions. The viewership reached its peak at an estimated 29.4 million viewers between 9:30 and 9:45 p.m. Eastern time, precisely when the Jets vigorously fought in the second quarter to regain their footing in the game. This remarkable figure dwarfs last year’s average of 19.9 million viewers for Sunday Night Football games.
Taylor Swift’s Impact
Taylor Swift’s presence at the game made headlines, and NBC made sure to set the stage accordingly. As a tribute to Swift, they chose her song “Welcome to New York” as the theme music for the video promotion of the game. The promo garnered a whopping 8 million views, an impressive testament to Swift’s popularity.
The Taylor Swift Effect on Kelce
Ever since rumors started swirling about Taylor Swift’s connection with Kelce, the Chiefs’ tight end’s life has experienced a remarkable transformation:
- Podcast Success: Jason and Travis Kelce’s podcast, aptly titled “New Heights with Jason and Travis Kelce,” skyrocketed to the No. 1 spot on Apple’s podcast charts last week. The power of Swift’s association had an undeniable impact on their podcast’s popularity.
- Social Media Boom: Kelce’s social media presence received an extraordinary boost. Within just two weeks, his Instagram followers increased from 2.7 million to an astonishing 3.8 million.
- Jersey and Merchandise Sales: Kelce’s popularity didn’t stop at virtual platforms. His NFL jersey became one of the top five best-selling jerseys last week. Furthermore, his merchandise sales on Fanatics, the NFL’s official merchandise seller, saw an incredible spike of 400%.
Conclusion
Taylor Swift’s presence undoubtedly fueled an astonishing surge in viewership, podcast success, social media following, and merchandise sales for Kelce. As we marvel at the impact of Swift’s star power, it becomes clear that her influence reaches far beyond the realm of music.