America’s appetite for football on Thanksgiving just shattered all records, proving that traditional values and patriotic traditions still matter to millions of Americans.
Story Snapshot
- Chiefs-Cowboys game averaged 57.230 million viewers, the most-watched NFL regular-season game in history
- Viewership surged 47% compared to last year’s Thanksgiving matchup and exceeded the previous record by 36%
- Peak audience reached 61.357 million viewers during the thrilling final moments
- Paramount+ recorded its most-streamed NFL regular-season game ever
Historic Viewership Shatters Previous Records
CBS Sports delivered a monumental achievement on Thanksgiving Day, November 27, 2025, when the Cowboys’ 31-28 victory over the Chiefs drew an average of 57.230 million viewers.
This commanding performance obliterated the previous NFL regular-season record of 42.059 million viewers from the 2022 Giants-Cowboys matchup, representing a stunning 36% increase.
The dramatic 47% surge compared to last year’s comparable Thanksgiving game demonstrates America’s enduring love for football and traditional holiday entertainment.
“NFL ON CBS” SHATTERS RECORD FOR MOST-WATCHED REGULAR-SEASON GAME IN NFL HISTORY WITH MORE THAN 57M VIEWERS 💥 https://t.co/hcjGKNBsMZ
— Dave Briggs (@davebriggstv) December 3, 2025
Peak Audience Reached Historic Levels
The game’s electrifying conclusion drove viewership to extraordinary heights. Between 7:45 and 8:00 PM ET, as the Cowboys mounted their final drive, the audience swelled to 61.357 million viewers.
This peak moment captured the intensity and drama that defines championship-caliber football, proving that Americans remain deeply invested in quality sports programming that showcases genuine competition and athletic excellence.
Paramount+ Streaming Success Reflects Digital Shift
Beyond traditional broadcast, Paramount+ registered its most-streamed NFL regular-season game ever, underscoring the platform’s growing role in sports entertainment. The streaming service’s performance demonstrates that conservative audiences embrace technological innovation when it serves their interests and values.
Season-to-date figures show “NFL ON CBS” averaging 22.120 million viewers, up 9% year-over-year, marking the network’s strongest performance since returning to NFL broadcasts in 1998.
American Tradition Resonates Across Generations
David Berson, President and CEO of CBS Sports, captured the cultural significance: “The NFL. Thanksgiving. Chiefs. Cowboys. A perfect recipe for a record audience.” This combination represents quintessential American values—family gathering, athletic competition, and patriotic tradition.
The record-breaking viewership affirms that mainstream America continues to embrace wholesome entertainment celebrating excellence, competition, and national pride over divisive agendas.
