NFL Network began its first NFL preseason under ESPN ownership with six nationally televised games during Week 1, averaging 1.93 million viewers. This viewership marks a 3% increase compared to the six non-Sunday preseason games on NFL Network in Week 1 of the previous year, which drew 1.88 million viewers. Last year, NFL Network’s Week 1 slate included two Sunday games and averaged 2.1 million viewers overall. The 2026 season's ratings are based on Nielsen’s updated Big Data + Panel methodology, while the previous season’s measurements relied solely on panel data.

The transition of NFL Network to ESPN ownership took effect on April 1, following an agreement where the NFL secured a 10% equity stake in ESPN. As part of this deal, Disney and ESPN acquired NFL Network and the rights to distribute NFL RedZone, with all NFL Network preseason games now accessible on ESPN’s streaming platform for subscribers of ESPN Unlimited. Among the Week 1 games, the Rams-Chiefs matchup drew 2.38 million viewers, becoming the most-watched NFL Network Week 1 preseason game since 2015.

The 2025 NFL preseason averaged 2.2 million viewers per game across all networks, marking a 17% increase from 2024 and reaching the highest level since 2018. NFL Network’s viewership averaged 1.8 million last year, setting a record for the channel and representing a 26% jump from the prior season. The upcoming weeks of the 2026 preseason will see NFL Network broadcasting seven games in Week 2, with additional coverage by ESPN, Fox, CBS, and Amazon Prime Video concluding the preseason schedule.

Notably, the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game held on August 6 gathered 7 million viewers, the most-watched preseason opener since 2021. As the NFL Network operates under ESPN’s umbrella, the integration of digital streaming and increased game availability appear to have positively influenced early preseason ratings, suggesting sustained or growing audience engagement throughout the preseason.