The next most watched game fell over 10 million watchers short, with the Philadelphia Eagles-Tampa Bay Buccaneers broadcast drawing 30.37 million viewers.
The history and competitiveness of both San Francisco and Dallas helped fuel Sunday's spike in viewers. Over 50 million (50.229 million) tuned in for the conclusion of the nail-biter. Meanwhile, the 41.5 million average viewer count approached the Wild Card record, a 2015 matchup between the Cowboys and Detroit Lions that drew an average of 42.32 million watchers. For perspective, last year's Wild Card games topped out with the Chicago Bears-New Orleans Saints double-cast, which drew 28.59 million viewers on CBS and an additional 2.06 million on Nickelodeon.
This year, the minimal decrease in Nickelodeon viewers was more than made up for by the national attention drawn by the 49ers-Cowboys rivalry.
The full viewership numbers are listed below. All times Eastern.
Saturday:
LV @ CIN - 27.7 million (4:30 PM, NBC)
NE @ BUF - 26.37 million (8:15 PM, CBS)
Sunday:
PHI @ TB - 30.37 million (1 PM, FOX)
SF @ DAL - 41.49 million (4:30 PM, CBS/NICK)
PIT @ KC - 28.93 million (8:15 PM, NBC)
Monday:
ARI @ LAR - 10.25 million (8:15 PM, ESPN/ESPN2)
Source - Showbuzz Daily
More San Francisco 49ers News
-
Recap: 49ers display top form in dominant 38-13 victory over Bears
The San Francisco 49ers still face long odds to make the postseason this year after three months of injuries and inconsistent play, but for at least one half of football against the Chicago Bears at Levi's Stadium on Sunday, they looked more than any other point this season... -
Team meeting with unexpected speakers helps propel 49ers to blowout win over Bears
It's possible the past week will go down as a point in time when a new wave of vocal leaders came to the forefront for the San Francisco 49ers. The 49ers have long been a team with authoritative and charismatic veteran team leaders, among them linebacker Fred Warner, tight end... -
How PFF graded George Kittle, other 49ers in win over Bears, plus snap counts
The San Francisco 49ers improved their record to 6-7 after a 38-13 win against the Chicago Bears in Week 14. Today, Pro Football Focus released its grades and snap counts from the game. Which Niners stood out, and who has more work to do? Below are Pro Football Focus' five... -
No Huddle Podcast: The 49ers' Season is Over
(Episode 395) — Al Sacco and Brian Renick react to the 49ers' season effectively being over, Deebo's performance confirming that he does not deserve to be on the 49ers anymore, the lack of flow on offense, the defense doing their part against the Rams, which defensive...