FOOTBALL IN HIGH HEELS: SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL/FOOTBALL NIGHT IN AMERICA ANNIVERSARIES
STAMFORD, Conn. – August 31, 2016 – One week from today — next Wednesday, Sept. 7 – NBC’s Sunday Night Football and Football Night in America celebrate 10 years on the air. The 2006 NFL Kickoff game (Pittsburgh’s 28-17 victory over Miami Dolphins on Sept. 7, 2006) was the first of NBC’s 180 regular-season primetime telecasts over the past decade.
From Al Michaels and John Madden to Al Michaels and Cris Collinsworth in the booth…from Pink to Faith to Carrie performing the show open…from the introduction of “flexible scheduling” to the first-ever live streaming of an NFL game (by NBC Sports Digital)…NBC’s NFL coverage has become must-see TV and fans have followed in large numbers.
Sunday Night Football has been primetime TV’s No. 1 show for a historic five consecutive seasons, and Football Night in America has been the most-watched weekly studio show in sports for all 10 years since its 2006 debut.
Following is a look back at the first 10 years of NBC’s Sunday Night Football and Football Night in America:
NBC’s Sunday Night Football & Football Night in America – A Timeline
April 18, 2005 – NBC acquired Sunday Night Football in a six-year agreement, announced by Dick Ebersol, Chairman, NBC Universal Sports & Olympics and NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue. The agreement includes the first ever “flexible scheduling.” NBC also announces a studio show (to be named Football Night in America) to begin at 7 p.m. ETevery Sunday night.
June 15, 2005 – John Madden named Sunday Night Football analyst.
July 13, 2005 – Cris Collinsworth joins Football Night in America as co-host.
July 18, 2005 – Sam Flood named coordinating producer of NBC Sports, including Football Night in America. David Neal named executive producer of NBC Sports.
July 26, 2005 – Bob Costas named host of Football Night in America.
Feb. 9, 2006 – Al Michaels named play-by-play voice of Sunday Night Football (as part of the negotiation to release Michaels from his ABC contract, NBC returned to Disney the rights to ‘Oswald the Lucky Rabbit’).
Feb. 19, 2006 – Jerome Bettis named studio analyst for Football Night in America.
March 17, 2006 – Fred Gaudelli hired as producer of Sunday Night Football.
April 24, 2006 – Andrea Kremer named sideline & feature reporter for Sunday Night Football.
April 27, 2006 – Peter King joins Football Night in America as a reporter.
May 1, 2006 – Drew Esocoff hired as director of Sunday Night Football.
May 2, 2006 – Sterling Sharpe named studio analyst for Football Night in America.
August 6, 2006 – NBC’s Sunday Night Football makes its debut at the NFL/Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio (Philadelphia vs. Oakland). It is the first NBC NFL telecast in 3,113 days, since Super Bowl XXXII on Jan. 25, 1998 in San Diego (Denver vs. Green Bay). One day earlier, SNF game analyst John Madden was inducted into the Hall of Fame.
August 30, 2006 – NBC Sports announces that Academy Award-winning composer and music director John Williamshas composed the theme music for Sunday Night Football and Football Night in America.
NBC Sports announces that Pink will perform “Waiting All Day for Sunday Night” to open SNF each week.
Sept. 7, 2006 – NFL Kickoff 2006: Miami at Pittsburgh – NBC’s first regular-season game since 1997 season.
Sept. 10, 2006 – NBC Sunday Night Football opener – Indianapolis Colts vs. New York Giants in first-ever meeting between Peyton and Eli Manning, a 26-21 Colts victory.
Football Night in America debuts from 30 Rock’s Studio 8G, the former studio home of first the Philco Television Playhouse (1948-1955) and later for game shows Concentration (1958-1973) and Jeopardy (1964-1975), and talk shows Donahue (1984-1996) and The Rosie O’Donnell Show (1996-2002). The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallonnow broadcasts from the studio.
Nov. 19, 2006 – First ever NFL “flex scheduling” – Chargers at Broncos moves to primetime in Week 11 of NBC’s SNF.
Feb. 13, 2007 – Tiki Barber named analyst for Football Night in America.
April 16, 2007 – Keith Olbermann joins Football Night in America as co-host.
April 23, 2007 – Michael Weisman named Executive in Charge of Production for Football Night in America.
Aug. 29, 2007 – NBC Sports announces that Faith Hill will perform “Waiting All Day for Sunday Night” to open SNF each week.
Dec. 9, 2007 – Indianapolis QB Peyton Manning throws 300th career TD pass in the Colts’ Week 14 SNF win over the Baltimore Ravens.
July 7, 2008 – Dan Patrick named co-host of Football Night in America.
July 28, 2008 – NBC Sports & NFL announce Sunday Night Football Extra – first-ever live streaming of complete NFL games to be widely available in U.S., as full NBC slate will be streamed on NBCSports.com and NFL.com. The product includes alternative camera angles, picture-in-picture technology, in-game highlights, live stats, and live interactivity.
August 3, 2008 – At halftime of Hall of Fame Game, Al Michaels conducts a live cross-talk with Football Night in America’s Cris Collinsworth, from Beijing, China, where Collinsworth is a special correspondent for NBC’s coverage of the 2008 Olympic Games. In addition, NBC Sports provided live coverage of Brett Favre’s plane landing in Green Bay, as he met with the Packers about coming back to play after retiring in the spring.
Sept. 2, 2008 – The Sunday Night Football Cookbook is published, with introductions by John Madden and Faith Hill, and featuring 150 recipes celebrating the special dishes, unique flavors and most famous chefs of the NFL’s 31 cities, including recipes from Bobby Flay and Emeril Lagasse.
Sept. 4, 2008 – NFL Kickoff game on NBC (Redskins-Giants) begins at 7 p.m. ET — 90 minutes earlier than the start time of the traditional season opener due to the Republican National Convention, which NBC News covers following the conclusion of the game.
Oct. 19, 2008 – Al Michaels & Cris Collinsworth work their first game together – Seahawks at Bucs on SNF, giving John Madden a week off from cross-country travel.
Feb. 1, 2009 – NBC broadcasts Super Bowl XLIII from Tampa, Fla., its first Super Bowl telecast in 11 years. Pittsburgh LB James Harrison returns an INT a Super Bowl-record 100 yards on the final play of the first half highlighting a 27-23 Steelers victory over the Arizona Cardinals. Super Bowl XLIII averages 98.7 million viewers to become most-watched Super Bowl ever (at that time).
Feb. 8, 2009 – NBC televises Pro Bowl for first time in 35 years as Al Michaels and Cris Collinsworth call the game from Honolulu. The previous NBC broadcast of the Pro Bowl was on Jan. 20, 1974 from Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City when the AFC, led by then Raiders coach John Madden, defeated the NFC 15-13 on five Garo Yepremian field goals. Curt Gowdy and Al DeRogatis called the game for NBC.
April 16, 2009 – John Madden retires from broadcasting. Cris Collinsworth named Madden’s successor as SNF game analyst.
June 3, 2009 – Tony Dungy & Rodney Harrison join Football Night in America.
June 15, 2009 – ProFootballTalk.com (PFT) and its founder Mike Florio join NBCSports.com as part of a wide-ranging partnership, including the creation of “ProFootballTalk on NBCSports.com”
Aug. 19, 2009 – NBC Sports & NFL announce 2-year extension of broadcast partnership, under which NBC remains home of Sunday Night Football for 2012 and 2013 seasons.
Aug. 26, 2009 – NBC Sports announces new Football Night in America format, with Bob Costas hosting from game site.
Nov. 16, 2009 – Colts remain unbeaten at 9-0 after coming back from 17 points behind to defeat Patriots 35-34 in a game known for New England’s decision to go for a first down on 4th & 2 from its own 28-yard line with 2:08 remaining in the fourth quarter. Patriots came up short. Four plays later, Peyton Manning throws the game-winning TD pass to Reggie Wayne.
Jan. 9, 2010 – Mike Florio makes Football Night in America debut on Wild Card Saturday coverage.
June 15, 2010 – Sam Flood named Executive Producer, NBC Sports.
Sept. 9, 2010 – NBC Sports Digital debuts behind-the-scenes offerings including Sunday Night Football All Access; a free Sunday Night Football All-Access App for iPad; and dedicated Sunday Night Football Facebook and Twitter pages.
Sept. 26, 2010 – Telemundo broadcasts its first-ever Sunday Night Football game on its New York, Los Angeles, Dallas, Chicago, and Miami stations.
Oct. 31, 2010 – NBC televises its first SNF game on same night as World Series game. Steelers-Saints averages 18.1 million viewers on NBC, while Giants-Rangers WS Game 4 averages 15.5 million viewers on FOX. It was the first time that a primetime NFL regular-season game topped a World Series game on the same night.
Dec. 28, 2010 – NBC televises Vikings-Eagles SNF game on Tuesday, Dec. 28, due to a blizzard in Philadelphia on Sunday, Dec. 26. It was the first NFL game played on a Tuesday since 1946 (New York Giants vs. Boston Yanks, 10/1/46). Vikings-Eagles averaged 23.7 million viewers.
Jan. 2, 2011 – NBC concludes its 2010 Sunday Night Football season averaging 21.8 million viewers with a 13.0/21 HH rating – making SNF the first-ever sports series to rank #1 in primetime in viewership and household rating for the fall TV season.
Jan. 29, 2011 – Comcast Corporation acquires 51% of NBCUniversal from General Electric and becomes majority owner of the company.
May 4, 2011 – Michele Tafoya named sideline & feature reporter for Sunday Night Football.
May 19, 2011 – Mark Lazarus named Chairman, NBC Sports Group.
August 22, 2011 – NBC Sports Group & NFL Films announce new weekly, in-season NFL Turning Point show to air on VERSUS (later NBCSN).
Sept. 8, 2011 – Four NBCUniversal networks – VERSUS, USA, Syfy and G4 – carry opening hour of NFL Kickoff 2011pregame show in place of NBC, which covers speech by President Barack Obama.
Dec. 14, 2011 – NBCUniversal CEO Steve Burke, NBC Sports Group Chairman Mark Lazarus, and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announce nine-year extension of NBC’s Sunday Night Football package, beginning in 2014 and running through the 2022 NFL season. Included in the new agreement: NBC will televise a Thanksgiving night game (beginning in 2012); upgraded playoff coverage (1 Divisional and 1 Wild Card Playoff Game rather than the previous 2 Wild Card Playoff games); 3 Super Bowls; expanded digital rights, including “TV Everywhere” rights; Spanish-language rights.
Dec. 20, 2011 – NBC Sports Group and NFL announce that NBC’s four postseason games – two Wild Card playoff games, the Pro Bowl, and Super Bowl XLVI – will be the first-ever NFL postseason games live streamed in the U.S.
Jan. 1, 2012 – NBC concludes its 2011 Sunday Night Football season averaging 21.5 million viewers with a 12.9/20 HH rating – figures that in May 2012 make SNF the first-ever sports series to rank #1 in primetime in viewership and household rating for the full (Sept.-May) TV season.
Feb. 5, 2012 – NBC broadcasts Super Bowl XLVI from Indianapolis, a four-point, last-minute New York Giants win over the New England Patriots. Super Bowl XLVI averages 111.3 million viewers to become most-watched show in U.S. TV history (at that time). NBCSports.com and NFL.com live stream Super Bowl XLVI – the first-ever live stream of the Super Bowl in U.S.
May 31, 2012 – Hines Ward joins NBC Sports Group as an analyst on Football Night in America and Notre Dame Football pregame.
Sept. 4, 2012 – NBCSN debuts Pro Football Talk TV show featuring host Mike Florio.
Sept. 5, 2012 – NBC televises NFL Kickoff game (Cowboys-Giants) on a Wednesday night, avoiding the 2012 Democratic National Convention, where President Barack Obama accepts party’s nomination in a Thursday night speech. It was the first NFL game played on a Wednesday since 1948 (L.A. Rams-Detroit Lions, 9/22/48).
Sept. 9, 2012 – In his first game with the Denver Broncos (in the SNF season opener), QB Peyton Manning throws his 400th career TD pass (vs. Pittsburgh).
Oct. 7, 2012 – New Orleans QB Drew Brees throws TD pass in NFL-record 48th consecutive game, breaking Johnny Unitas’ 52-year old mark (47) in a Week 5 Chargers-Saints SNF game.
Nov. 22, 2012 – A new tradition begins with NBC’s first-ever NFL primetime game on Thanksgiving (New England at N.Y. Jets). This game is also known for the Jets’ second quarter “butt fumble” which the Patriots returned for a TD.
Dec. 30, 2012 – The Week 17 NFC East championship “win-and-in” game between the Dallas Cowboys and Washington Redskins is the most-watched regular-season Sunday night game in NFL history (30.3 million viewers).
March 11, 2013 – Al Michaels is inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, which annually recognizes television’s most distinguished “innovators and icons.”
May 7, 2013 – NBC Sports announces that Carrie Underwood will perform “Waiting All Day for Sunday Night” to open SNF each week.
June 17, 2013 – Scott Pioli joins Football Night in America.
July 27, 2013 – NBC Sports announces the Sunday Night Football bus, which will travel to all SNF games.
July 29, 2013 – NBC Sports and Dallas Cowboys announce that they will work with Replay Technologies Inc. to provide a unique, new 360-degree “FreeD” look at red-zone plays for viewers watching NBC telecasts and fans at the game in AT&T Stadium, beginning with Giants at Cowboys on Sept. 8.
Aug. 2, 2013 – In Canton, Ohio for NFL/Hall of Fame Weekend, Al Michaels is honored with the Pete Rozelle Radio & Television Award for “long-time exceptional contributions to radio and television in professional football.”
Sept. 5, 2013 – In the NFL Kickoff game, Denver’s Peyton Manning throws 7 TD passes vs. Baltimore, tying an NFL record which had last been matched in 1969.
Sept. 8, 2013 – Football Night in America moves to new set in famed Studio 8H – the home of Saturday Night Live – at NBCUniversal’s 30 Rockefeller Plaza headquarters in New York City.
Sept. 11, 2013 – NBCSN debuts weekly FNIA Coach’s Clicker show featuring Tony Dungy, Rodney Harrison and host Liam McHugh.
Sept. 15, 2013 – Despite a 60-minute, first-quarter weather delay, the Week 2 San Francisco-Seattle SNF matchup was the most-watched primetime NFL game between West Coast teams in 18 years (20.5 million viewers).
Oct. 20, 2013 – Broncos QB Peyton Manning’s (Week 7 SNF) return to Indianapolis, where he played 13 seasons for the Colts, averaged 26.9 million viewers, ranking as the most-watched October NFL primetime telecast in 21 years.
Nov. 3, 2013 – Michele Tafoya reports on Texans coach Gary Kubiak, who suffered a mini-stroke on field at halftime of Indianapolis-Houston SNF game.
Nov. 24, 2013 – It was Brady-Manning XIV on SNF in Week 12, as Tom Brady led the Patriots’ biggest comeback victory ever (from 24 points behind) in defeating Peyton Manning and the Broncos, 34-31, in overtime.
Dec. 17, 2013 – Al Michaels is inducted into Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame for his “excellence and lifetime achievement.”
April 2, 2014 – Josh Elliott joins NBC Sports Group, to work on Football Night in America, Triple Crown horse racing, and the Summer and Winter Olympics
May 6, 2014 – NBC’s Sunday Night Football earns Sports Emmy for Outstanding Live Sports Series for record sixth consecutive year – no other Live Sports Series has won in the category for more than three years in a row.
May 20, 2014 – Michele Tafoya wins Gracie Award for Outstanding Individual Achievement – On-Air Talent: Sports Program.
July 25, 2014 – A behind-the-scenes look at the making of the Sunday Night Football show open featuring Carrie Underwood and NFL stars, debuts on more than 19,000 movie screens nationwide.
Sept. 5, 2014 – Debut of “Together We Make Football” on TODAY. NBC Sports teamed with TODAY to present weekly stories from that week’s SNF host city about people who have been impacted by the game of football.
Sept. 7, 2014 – Football Night in America moves to the new Studio 1 at NBC Sports Group’s International Broadcast Center in Stamford, Conn. The 5,500-square-foot studio features multiple sets, state-of-the-art LED lighting, and 44 monitors, including a 350-square-foot LED display backdrop and a 13-foot high-resolution rear-projection monitor.
Oct. 19, 2014 – Broncos QB Peyton Manning throws 509th TD pass in a win over the 49ers on SNF in Week 7, breaking Brett Favre’s NFL career record.
Nov. 18, 2014 – Al Michaels’ autobiography is published. “YOU CAN’T MAKE THIS UP: Miracles, Memories, and the Perfect Marriage of Sports and Television” reaches No. 6 on New York Times non-fiction best seller list, and spends six weeks on the best-seller list.
Feb. 1, 2015 – NBC broadcasts Super Bowl XLIX from Arizona, a four-point New England Patriots victory over the Seattle Seahawks sealed by Malcolm Butler’s goal- line interception with 20 seconds remaining. Super Bowl XLIX averages 114.4 million viewers to become most-watched show in U.S. TV history.
April 27, 2015 – Pro Football Focus: Grading the 2015 Draft featuring Cris Collinsworth debuts on NBCSN.
Sept. 10, 2015 – Tom Brady sets the NFL record for most regular-season wins by a QB with one team (161) in Patriots’ NFL Kickoff game win over Steelers.
Oct. 4, 2015 – Saints QB Drew Brees throws 400th career touchdown pass in Week 4 SNF victory over Cowboys. Brees’ milestone TD pass is an 80-yarder to win the game 13 seconds into OT — the quickest regular-season overtime victory in NFL history.
Nov. 1, 2015 – The 6-0 Green Bay Packers visit the 6-0 Denver Broncos on Sunday Night Football in the first-ever primetime game featuring opponents with records of 6-0 or better.
Nov. 26, 2015 – The most-watched Thanksgiving primetime game in NFL history (27.8 million viewers for Bears-Packers) features Brett Favre’s “Ring of Honor” halftime ceremony, with a special appearance from Bart Starr.
Dec. 13, 2015 – Michele Tafoya works 200th game as NFL sideline reporter (New England at Houston).
Jan. 3, 2016 – The 10th season of NBC’s Sunday Night Football concludes as its most-watched (22.5 million viewers) and highest-rated (13.0/22) season ever, and ranks as primetime television’s #1 show for the fifth consecutive year, a milestone accomplished by only three other primetime television shows since 1950.
Jan. 10, 2016 – In the third-coldest NFL game on record (-6 at kickoff), the Seahawks’ victory over the Vikings in the NFC Wild Card ranks as the most-watched early Sunday Wild Card on record (35.3 million viewers).
Jan. 16, 2016 – Arizona’s overtime victory over Green Bay in the NFC Divisional Playoff, featuring Aaron Rodgers’ game-tying, Hail Mary touchdown pass on the final play of regulation, ranks as the highest-rated Saturday primetime Divisional game ever (18.8/33).
Feb. 1, 2016 – NBC acquires Thursday Night Football package of games in a two-year agreement, as announced byNBCUniversal CEO Steve Burke, NBC Sports Group Chairman Mark Lazarus, and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. With the agreement, NBC will become the first network to present multiple primetime NFL packages in the same season.
May 10, 2016 – NBC’s Sunday Night Football earns the Sports Emmy for Outstanding Live Sports Series for the seventh time in eight years.
May 25, 2016 – NBC’s Sunday Night Football finishes the full (Sept.-May) TV season as primetime television’s #1 program, for historic fifth consecutive year.
June 1, 2016 – Fred Gaudelli named Executive Producer of NBC’s Sunday Night Football and Thursday Night Football.
June 20, 2016 – NBC Sports announces that Carrie Underwood has recorded new Sunday Night Football opening theme song “Oh, Sunday Night”
July 1, 2016 – Mike Tirico joins NBC Sports Group, where he will work on NBC’s NFL coverage.
July 13, 2016 – Heather Cox joins NBC Sports Group as sideline reporter for NBC’s Thursday Night Football.
Aug. 6, 2016 – Tony Dungy inducted into NFL/Hall of Fame
Aug. 29, 2016 – Mike Tirico named host of NBC’s Sunday Football Night in America; Bob Costas named host of pregame show for NBC’s Thursday Night Football & will be joined at game site by Tony Dungy and Rodney Harrison
Super Bowls on NBC since 2006
| SB XLIII (Feb. 2009 – Steelers vs. Cardinals) | 98.7 million viewers * |
| SB XLVI (Feb. 2012 – Giants vs. Patriots) | 111.3 million viewers ** |
| SB XLIX (Feb. 2015 – Patriots vs. Seahawks) | 114.4 million viewers *** |
* Most-watched Super Bowl in history (at the time) |
| ** Most-watched show in U.S. TV history (at the time) |
| *** Most-watched show in U.S. TV history (current) |
| Source: Live Same Day, The Nielsen Company |
ON-AIR TEAM (by NFL season)
In the Sunday Night Football booth
| Al Michaels & John Madden | 2006-2008 |
| Al Michaels & Cris Collinsworth | 2009-present |
On the sidelines for Sunday Night Football
| Andrea Kremer | 2006-2010 |
| Michele Tafoya | 2011-present |
Football Night in America studio
| Bob Costas | 2006-present |
| Cris Collinsworth | 2006-08 |
| Jerome Bettis | 2006-08 |
| Sterling Sharpe | 2006 |
| Peter King | 2006-present |
| Tiki Barber | 2007-09 |
| Keith Olbermann | 2007-09 |
| Dan Patrick | 2008-present |
| Tony Dungy | 2009-present |
| Rodney Harrison | 2009-present |
| Mike Florio | 2010-present |
| Hines Ward | 2012-2015 |
| Scott Pioli | 2013 |
| Josh Elliott | 2014 |
| Mike Tirico | 2016-present |
Football Night in America off-site reporters
| Bob Neumeier, Lewis Johnson, Kenny Rice, Marty Snider & others | 2006-09 |
| Alex Flanagan | 2010-14 |
| Kathryn Tappen | 2014-present |
| Carolyn Manno | 2014-present |
| Paul Burmeister | 2015-present |
NBC NFL playoff teams (by NFL season)
| Al Michaels & John Madden, Andrea Kremer | 2006 Wild Card |
| Tom Hammond & Cris Collinsworth, Bob Neumeier | 2006 Wild Card |
| Al Michaels & John Madden, Andrea Kremer | 2007 Wild Card |
| Tom Hammond & Cris Collinsworth, Bob Neumeier | 2007 Wild Card |
| Al Michaels & John Madden, Andrea Kremer | 2008 Wild Card |
| Tom Hammond & Cris Collinsworth, Tiki Barber | 2008 Wild Card |
| Al Michaels & John Madden, Andrea Kremer, Alex Flanagan | Super Bowl XLIII |
| Al Michaels & Cris Collinsworth, Andrea Kremer | 2009 Wild Card |
| Tom Hammond, Joe Gibbs & Joe Theismann, Tiki Barber | 2009 Wild Card |
| Al Michaels & Cris Collinsworth, Andrea Kremer | 2010 Wild Card |
| Tom Hammond & Mike Mayock, Alex Flanagan | 2010 Wild Card |
| Al Michaels & Cris Collinsworth, Michele Tafoya | 2011 Wild Card |
| Tom Hammond & Mike Mayock, Alex Flanagan | 2011 Wild Card |
| Al Michaels & Cris Collinsworth, Michele Tafoya, Alex Flanagan | Super Bowl XLVI |
| Al Michaels & Cris Collinsworth, Michele Tafoya | 2012 Wild Card |
| Dan Hicks & Mike Mayock, Alex Flanagan | 2012 Wild Card |
| Al Michaels & Cris Collinsworth, Michele Tafoya | 2013 Wild Card |
| Dan Hicks & Mike Mayock, Alex Flanagan | 2013 Wild Card |
| Al Michaels & Cris Collinsworth, Michele Tafoya | 2014 Wild Card |
| Al Michaels & Cris Collinsworth, Michele Tafoya | 2014 Divisional |
| Al Michaels & Cris Collinsworth, Michele Tafoya | Super Bowl XLIX |
| Al Michaels & Cris Collinsworth, Michele Tafoya | 2015 Wild Card |
| Al Michaels & Cris Collinsworth, Michele Tafoya | 2015 Divisional |
Sunday Night Football show open – performers
| Pink | 2006 |
| Faith Hill | 2007-12 |
| Carrie Underwood | 2013-present |
VIEWERSHIP
SNF RANKS #1 IN PRIMETIME FOR HISTORIC 5TH CONSECUTIVE YEAR
NBC’s Sunday Night Football ranks as the No. 1 show in U.S. household rating and viewership for the entire primetime television season for the fifth consecutive year (September-May season, based on Nielsen live plus same day data), which puts it in rare company as one of only four TV shows since 1950 to accomplish the feat (chart below).
Most Consecutive Years, #1 Ranked Show in Primetime, Since 1950
6 years in a row – American Idol (2005-06 through 2010-11)
5 years in a row – Sunday Night Football (2011-12 through 2015-16)
5 years in a row – The Cosby Show (1985-86 through 1989-90)…tied Cheers in ‘89-90
5 years in a row – All in the Family (1971-72 through 1975-76)
4 years in a row – Gunsmoke (1957-58 through 1960-61)
- Since the beginning of the 2011-12 TV season, only eight primetime shows have averaged 21 million viewers, all on NBC – Sunday Night Football five times, the 2012 London Summer Games, the 2014 Sochi Winter Games, and the 2016 Rio Summer Games.
SNF AVERAGE (P2 ) VIEWERSHIP RANK AMONG PRIMETIME SHOWS:
| Fall TV Season | Full TV Season | |
| 2015 | No. 1 Show | 1st |
| 2014 | No. 1 Show | 1st |
| 2013 | No. 1 Show | 1st |
| 2012 | No. 1 Show | 1st |
| 2011 | No. 1 Show | 1st |
| 2010 | No. 1 Show | 3rd |
| 2009 | No. 2 Show | 4th |
| 2008 | No. 5 Show | 8th |
| 2007 | No. 7 Show | 8th |
| 2006 | No. 7 Show | 9th |
Source: The Nielsen Company, Live Same Day Viewing
SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL ON NBC — FULL SEASON:
| YEAR | VIEWERS 2 | HH RATING/SHARE |
| 2015 | 22.5 million | 13.0/22 |
| 2014 | 21.3 million | 12.5/21 |
| 2013 | 21.7 million | 12.8/21 |
| 2012 | 21.4 million | 12.8/20 |
| 2011 | 21.5 million | 12.9/20 |
| 2010 | 21.8 million | 13.0/21 |
| 2009 | 19.4 million | 11.7/19 |
| 2008 | 16.6 million | 10.2/16 |
| 2007 | 16.0 million | 10.0/16 |
| 2006 | 17.5 million | 11.0/18 |
Source: The Nielsen Company, Live Same Day Viewing
FOOTBALL NIGHT IN AMERICA
- Football Night in America (7:30-8:15 p.m. ET) has been the most-watched weekly studio show in sports for 10 consecutive years since its 2006 debut. In 2015, FNIA averaged 8.7 million viewers in 2015 – the second-best season in the show’s 10-season history (behind only 2011, 8.9 million).
SNF SETS STREAMING RECORD: The 2015 Sunday Night Football season is the most streamed SNF season ever. SNF delivered a record 3.4 million unique users – a 3% increase from the previous record set last season – watching the SNF live stream to desktops, tablets, and connected TVs through NBC Sports Live Extra, NBC Sports Group’s live streaming product. In addition, the 2015 NFL season delivered a record 303 million live minutes on NBC Sports Live Extra, up 75% from 2014. The 2015 SNF slate also produced Live Extra’s 10 best non-Olympic authenticated events ever.
EMMY AWARDS
- NBC’s Sunday Night Football has won 25 Sports Emmys in its 10 seasons on NBC (this is season 11). NBC’s Sunday Night Football won the Sports Emmy for Outstanding Live Sports Series in 7 of its 10 seasons with the package.
- NBC’s Sunday Night Football won the Sports Emmy for Outstanding Live Sports Series for a record six consecutive seasons (2008-13) – no other Live Sports Series has won the honor more than three years in a row.
- NBC has won the Sports Emmy for Outstanding Live Sports Special for all three of its Super Bowls since the network debuted the Sunday Night Football package in 2006. NBC’s Sunday Night Football crew is the only team for any network to win this honor since NBC won for Super Bowl XIII (Jan. 1979).
- Al Michaels has won seven Emmy Awards – six for Outstanding Sports Personality – Play-by-Play and one in 2011 for the Lifetime Achievement Award.
- Cris Collinsworth has won the Emmy for Outstanding Sports Personality-Sports Event Analyst in six of his seven seasons on Sunday Night Football. He won the award for seven consecutive years (2008 in NFL Network & NBC booth through 2014) and has 16 career Sports Emmys
- Michele Tafoya, a two-time winner of Emmy for Outstanding Sports Personality – Sports Reporter (2011 and 2013), has been nominated for the honor in all four years the category has existed.
- Bob Costas – Host of the first 10 seasons of Football Night In America, the most watched weekly studio show in sports, has won 27 Sports Emmy Awards
ON THE FIELD
NBC has televised 180 regular-season primetime NFL games since NBC’s Sunday Night Football debuted on September 7, 2006. Among the notable facts and figures:
New Stadiums Debuting on NBC’s Sunday Night Football
| Lucas Oil Stadium (Colts) | 2008 |
| AT&T Stadium (Cowboys) | 2009 |
| Levi’s Stadium (49ers) | 2014 |
Most NBC SNF Games since 2006, Team
| Dallas Cowboys | 34 |
| New York Giants | 28 |
| Philadelphia Eagles | 26 |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | 26 |
| Indianapolis Colts | 24 |
Most NBC SNF Games since 2006, Player
| L.P. LaDouceur | 34 |
| Jason Witten | 34 |
| DeMarcus Ware | 33 |
| Tony Romo | 29 |
| Peyton Manning | 28 |
Most TD passes on NBC Sunday Night Football
| Peyton Manning | 65 |
Most rushing TDs on NBC Sunday Night Football
| Brandon Jacobs | 13 |
Most receiving TDs on NBC Sunday Night Football
| Rob Gronkowski | 15 |
