NFL fans' reaction to Peacock viewing figures paints desperately sad picture

The NFL’s first game in Brazil drew sizable viewership on Peacock , but many fans were less than thrilled about having to tune in via the streaming platform.

Approximately 14.2 million people watched the Philadelphia Eagles face off against the Green Bay Packers in a game streamed exclusively on Peacock, as well as a select number of local in-market broadcasts. The strong numbers marked the second-highest watched live event streamed by the media company - trailing only last season’s AFC Wild Card game in which the Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Miami Dolphins, 26-7.

Last December, Peacock additionally exclusively streamed a game between the Buffalo Bills and Los Angeles Chargers that was only watched by 7.3 million fans. Considering that Friday’s game was met with a 94% increase in viewership, many were quick to declare NBC’s NFL experiment a resounding success.

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Some, however, argued that the growth had little to do with improving trends, and more with the actual game being played. “The numbers were up from the previous game, because it was the first game of the year, between 2 very good teams,” Jason Adams commented on MSN . “Put an average game in the middle of the year on there and NOBODY is watching.”

Others strongly pushed back on future games being moved to streaming services, insisting that they’ll stop watching NFL games if this trend continues. “This thing with important Games being broadcast where I cannot watch puts me in the mind to stop watching completely. I haven't gotten all the way there, yet, but it is on my mind. The more Games they do this with, the more likely it will become,” one MSN user said.

Another added: “Can you imagine how many more people would have watched the game if it were not on Peacock? We cannot afford to purchase all the different streaming services to be able to watch NFL games. There will come a time when we will no longer watch because they are on streaming services.”

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Steve D wrote: “Streaming services have already won. So many complaints but people paid and watched anyway. This is just the beginning as it will get worse. It won't be long before the complaints stop and paying for a zillion streaming services is accepted as the norm. A few people won't give in but it will mean absolutely nothing to the bottom line of the streaming services.”

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Not everyone was quick to bash the NFL’s union with streaming services. Duchess Jack hit back on other user’s complaints, stating: “To the people complaining about streaming services.... can you still watch one Monday Night game, one Sunday night game and whatever games your local channels televise at 1pm and 4pm (EST?) If so, I don't see what the problem is.”

The Peacock/NBC Universal family will stream 10 NFL games in total this season, including this weekend’s matchup between the Chicago Bears and Houston Texans.