Fall TV, Sports & Streaming Events Advertisers Can’t Miss
As the days grow shorter and routines fall into place, audiences return to their favorite shows, sports, and live events. From much-anticipated TV premieres to can’t-miss matchups, fall offers moments that draw millions of engaged viewers – and the perfect chance for advertisers and brands to be part of the action.
Below are some of the top fall tentpoles, how to access them, and why they’re prime opportunities for advertisers.
TV & Streaming Premieres
| Program | Why It Matters | Begins | Where to Watch |
The Paper | New workplace comedy from the creators of The Office; strong buzz and built-in fan base create an opportunity for brands to align with a fresh, high-visibility premiere likely to trend on social. | Sept 4 | Peacock |
Dancing with the Stars | Family-friendly, multi-generational viewing; ideal for brands targeting broad household reach in a positive, entertainment-driven environment. | Sept 16 | ABC, Disney+ |
The Voice | Live voting and social conversation drive strong second-screen engagement; great for advertisers looking to spark real-time interaction. | Sept 22 | NBC, Peacock |
Survivor | Long-running hit with decades of loyal viewers; delivers consistent reach and brand-safe, adventure-themed content. | Sept 24 | CBS, Paramount+ |
9-1-1 / Grey’s Anatomy Block | Prime-time scripted dramas with strong ratings; ideal for advertisers seeking high female-skew reach in appointment TV. | Oct 9 | ABC, Hulu |
Stranger Things Vol. 1 | Global cultural phenomenon with massive fan engagement; perfect for brands wanting to tap into multi-platform buzz and nostalgia-driven storytelling. | Nov 26 | Netflix |
Sports & Live Events
| Event | Why It Matters | Begins | Where to Watch |
NFL Season Opener | Hefty audience surge—~29.2M viewers for the 2024 opener. Massive attention from kickoff gives brands a powerful live platform. | Sept 5 | NBC, Peacock |
Sunday Night Football | Primetime powerhouse—21.6M average viewers across broadcast and digital; top primetime show for 14 consecutive years. | Sept 7 | NBC, Peacock |
NFL Regular Season | Sustained weekly scale—average of ~17.5M viewers per game across networks; premium visibility all season long. | Sept–Jan | CBS, Fox, NBC, ESPN/ABC, Prime Video, NFL+ |
College Football Season | Regional loyalty, consistent reach—2–8M+ viewers typical for most games; marquee matchups exceed 10M. | Aug–Dec | ESPN, ABC, Fox, CBS, network streaming |
NBA Cup | New in-season tournament tipped to attract fresh buzz. Estimated average 1.5–3M viewers per game, with the inaugural tip-off on Oct 31. | Oct 31 | NBA platforms, ESPN, TNT |
MLB World Series | High-impact spotlight—domestic average of ~15.8M viewers across Fox and streaming; global reach tops 30M. | October | Fox, Fox Sports app |
Why These Moments Matter for Advertisers
- Massive, Predictable Reach – Fall TV premieres and sports events deliver some of the year’s largest, most reliable live audiences, allowing precise planning and guaranteed exposure.
- Premium, Brand-Safe Environment – Trusted broadcast and top-tier streaming platforms provide high-quality, immersive viewing with minimal ad clutter.
- Event-Like Viewing Behavior – Appointment viewing means fewer ad-skips, more live engagement, and real-time buzz your brand can join.
- Cross-Platform Engagement – Fans follow events across broadcast, streaming, apps, and social—pairing linear with CTV/OTT boosts frequency and reach.
- Cultural Relevance & Emotional Connection – From game-winning touchdowns to season finale twists, these moments fuel national conversation and deepen brand association.
- Regional & Demographic Targeting – Opportunities range from college football’s alumni-driven loyalty to scripted dramas with niche fan bases.
Opportunities for Advertising Activations
- Broadcast & Streaming Buys – Secure premium live-event placements and extend reach with complementary CTV/OTT to capture cord-cutters and on-demand viewers.
- Integrated Sponsorships – Integrate with branded segments, halftime/pre-game features, or “brought to you by” moments. Explore platform-exclusive formats like Prime Video TNF integrations, Peacock live stats overlays, and Pause Ads to create unique brand touchpoints.
- Second-Screen Engagement – Time social/digital campaigns to run during live broadcasts, targeting mobile viewers with polls, live tweets, or interactive features.
- Creative Alignment – Match messaging and visuals to the event theme (sports metaphors, fall premiere visuals, countdowns, etc.) for stronger relevance.
- New & Emerging Platforms – Explore Fox’s Fox One (launching Aug 21) for bundled NFL, MLB, NASCAR, and college football content.
Don’t Miss Out
Inventory for fall’s biggest events is already filling fast. Reach out to your Media+ team now to secure placements and craft creative strategies that will put your brand in the spotlight when audiences are most engaged.
