Notre Dame-Navy most watched season opener on NBC in three years

With NBC set to start its new TV deal with the Big Ten this weekend, Notre Dame and Navy’s Week Zero trip to Dublin made for a strong start to the year.

The annual rivalry game, which has now been played 95 times, averaged 3.81 million viewers on NBC, Peacock and NBC Sports digital platforms, according to a release from NBC. The viewership numbers make it the most-watched Notre Dame season opener on NBC in three years. It’s also the most-watched rivalry game between the program in the last nine years.

It was also the most-viewed Notre Dame game on NBC in the past two years since its loss to Cincinnati in 2021 drew 3.97 million viewers. Viewership peaked at nearly 3.97 million tuned in. The game was also up 66% against the 2022 season average on NBC of 2.30 million.

A tent-pole property for NBC, Notre Dame receives roughly mid-$30 million annually from rights fees. About $11 million comes from its contract with the ACC, while the other $22 million per year is from its football-only deal with NBC.

The Fighting Irish have two years remaining on their deal with NBC. Athletic director Jack Swarbrick is set to step down in 2024, with Pete Bevacqua, chairman of NBC Sports Group, already tabbed to step in.

Saturday was a statement win to open the season for the Fighting Irish, which struggled at quarterback last season and picked up Sam Hartman in the transfer portal. The former Wake Forest quarterback was 19 of 23 through the air for 251 yards and four touchdowns. His 97.9 QBR was the most of any quarterback during the Week 0 slate.

Notre Dame hosts Tennessee State on Saturday, with kick set for 3:30 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock.

NBC’s Big Ten coverage begins this weekend. Michigan will play exclusively on Peacock at noon against East Carolina. B1G Saturday Night will debut in primetime, featuring Penn State and West Virginia Mountaineers from Happy Valley.