STAMFORD, Conn. (AP) — Kansas City's thrilling 27-20 victory over Baltimore on Thursday night was the most-watched NFL Kickoff game since it started in 2002.
The game had a total audience average of 28.9 million, surpassing the 27.6 million that watched the New England Patriots defeat the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2015 opener on NBC. Streaming did not start getting added to audience figures until 2016.
It was a 5% increase from the 27.5 million that watched Detroit beat Kansas City in last year’s opener.
Despite the start of the game being delayed 20 minutes due to a storm that included lightning, NBC averaged 24.3 million, according to Nielsen, with the audience peaking at 33 million during the second quarter (9:30-9:45 p.m. EDT).
It also drew a 37 share on NBC, which is its largest for any regular-season game since it started carrying NFL prime time games in 2006. A share is the percentage of all television sets in use at a given time watching a program.
According to Adobe Analytics, streaming on Peacock, NBC and NFL digital platforms averaged 4.6 million.
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Fans enter Arrowhead Stadium before the start of an NFL football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Baltimore Ravens Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes celebrates as he heads off the field following an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. The Chiefs won 27-20. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)
Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely (80) catches a pass with his toe out of bounds as Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Nick Bolton and linebacker Drue Tranquill, left, defend as time time expires in the second half of an NFL football game Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. The Chiefs won 27-20.(AP Photo/Ed Zurga)
BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Barcelona got some bad news a day after extending its perfect start to the season, with winger Dani Olmo being diagnosed with a leg injury that will sideline him for four to five weeks.
The club said tests conducted Monday showed he sustained a right hamstring injury in the second half of the 4-1 win at Catalan rival Girona in the Spanish league on Sunday.
Olmo had to be replaced in the 61st minute, less than 15 minutes after he had scored the team's third goal in the match.
The Spain international was signed from Leipzig this season and had been a crucial piece for coach Hansi Flick in the team's perfect start.
Barcelona has won its first five games in the Spanish league, which it leads by four points ahead of Atletico Madrid, Real Madrid and Villarreal.
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Barcelona's Dani Olmo scores his side's third goal during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Girona and Barcelona at the Montilivi stadium in Girona, Spain, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)
Barcelona's Dani Olmo scores his side's third goal during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Girona and Barcelona at the Montilivi stadium in Girona, Spain, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)
Barcelona's Dani Olmo celebrates after scoring his side's third goal during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Girona and Barcelona at the Montilivi stadium in Girona, Spain, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)
Barcelona's Dani Olmo celebrates after scoring his side's third goal during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Girona and Barcelona at the Montilivi stadium in Girona, Spain, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)
Barcelona's Dani Olmo celebrates after scoring his side's third goal during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Girona and Barcelona at the Montilivi stadium in Girona, Spain, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)
