ESPN’s three-day NFL draft coverage up 27 percent from 2009

ESPN draft viewership sets mark

NEW YORK — ESPN broadcast of the NFL draft has drawn the most viewers ever.

With the first two rounds held in prime time for the first time, ESPN’s three-day telecast had 3.7 million viewers, up 27 percent from 2009. It also attracted 2.85 million households, second most in draft history and up 24 percent from last year, according to Nielsen Media Research.

The most households to watch a draft on ESPN came in 2006, when 2,000 more homes than this year tuned in.

Even ratings for the third day, with Rounds 4-7, increased 10 percent to a 1.8. The final day was on Saturday this year, Sunday in 2009.