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NFL averages a record 21 million Week 1 viewers

Related Topics: Hans Schroeder, NFL Network

Ed Zurga/AP

LOS ANGELES — The NFL averaged 21 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 morning that the per-game average on TV and digital platforms was a 12% increase over last year. Nielsen began electronic measurement of viewing in 1988.

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

“A great start with the viewership.