NFL Averaged 21 Million Viewers Per Game For Opening Week, Its Highest On Record

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The NFL averaged 21.0 million viewers per game during the league’s opening week, making it the most-watched Week 1 on record.

The league and Nielsen said Wednesday that the per-game average on TV and digital platforms was a 12% increase over last year.

All told, 123 million people saw at least part of one game, its highest total for an opening week since 2019.

NBC had the most-watched game, with defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City’s 27-20 victory over Baltimore in last Thursday’s opener averaging 29.2 million on TV and digital.

Tom Brady’s first game as Fox’s top analyst — Dallas’ 33-17 win over Cleveland — averaged 23.93 million.