NFL Streaming SHOCK: Bears vs. Packers Breaks Record

Amazon Prime Video’s Bears-Packers playoff thriller shattered NFL streaming records with 31.61 million viewers, proving real American fans flock to cut-the-cable freedom over bloated legacy networks.

Story Highlights

Chicago Bears’ stunning 31-27 comeback over Green Bay Packers on January 10, 2026, drew 31.61 million average viewers on Amazon Prime Video, smashing the prior Netflix record of 27.52 million.
First NFL game ever to top 30 million streaming viewers, peaking at 34.16 million, fueled by historic rivalry and Caleb Williams’ two late touchdown passes.
Highlights streaming’s rise, with 43% year-over-year jump from Prime’s last playoff game, accelerating shift away from expensive cable bundles.
Bears secure first playoff win since 2010, turning a 27-16 fourth-quarter deficit into victory in under seven minutes.

Record-Breaking Comeback Victory

Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams threw two touchdown passes in the final minutes to erase a 27-16 deficit against the Green Bay Packers. The NFC Wild Card game on January 10, 2026, ended 31-27, marking Chicago’s first playoff triumph since 2010. This dramatic turnaround in the Saturday night slot captivated audiences, peaking at 34.16 million viewers during the 9:15 PM ET quarter-hour. The matchup revived the NFL’s oldest rivalry after two intense regular-season clashes.

The @packers–@Bears Wild Card game on @PrimeVideo averages 31.61 million viewers, shattering all-time @NFL streaming record by 4M+ and delivering most concurrent viewers and highest single-day global viewership ever on Prime.

Details: https://t.co/AWFGjsOy36 pic.twitter.com/90gVQXAO7A

— PrimeVideoSportsPR (@PrimeSportsPR) January 13, 2026

Streaming Surpasses All Prior Benchmarks

Amazon Prime Video averaged 31.61 million viewers, including local OTA simulcasts, topping Netflix’s Vikings-Lions Christmas Day record of 27.52 million from December 25, 2025. This marked the largest audience for any NFL streaming-exclusive game. Nielsen’s updated methods, including nationwide coverage and smart TV data, ensured accurate measurement. The figure represents a 43% increase from Prime’s prior playoff outing, the Steelers-Ravens game with 22.07 million viewers.

NFL’s Strategic Shift to Streaming Platforms

The NFL assigned the high-profile Bears-Packers clash to Amazon Prime Video, signaling confidence in streaming partners. Prime holds Thursday Night Football rights, averaging 15.3 million viewers in 2025, up 16% from 2024. Earlier precedents include Peacock’s 2023 Dolphins-Chiefs game at 22.86 million and Prime’s 2025 playoff debut. This rare postseason rivalry meeting amplified draw, outpacing traditional broadcast highs in some metrics despite trailing Fox’s 41 million Sunday game.

League decisions favor streamers for prime slots, boosting reach and revenue without cable middlemen. Amazon justifies its NFL investment through such viewership explosions, while teams like the Bears and Packers gain massive fan exposure.

Implications for Fans and Industry

Short-term, the record validates playoff streaming, enhancing Amazon’s leverage in rights negotiations. Long-term, it accelerates cord-cutting, as 38-43% growth over priors shows structural change beyond measurement tweaks. NFL fans enjoy flexible viewing options, Chicago and Green Bay markets buzz with rivalry fever, and advertisers cash in on peaks. Experts credit the matchup’s appeal and comeback drama, dismissing methodology shifts as the sole driver.

Sports Media Watch called it the “most attractive game on paper,” with ESPN noting the Bears’ drought end as a key factor. This mainstreams streaming, reducing reliance on overpriced cable amid economic pressures many families face.