Low Scoring NFL Opener, Registers a Record High

        Thursday's NFL opener in which the Pittsburgh Steeler's narrowly defeated the Tennessee Titans, 13-10, in overtime- drew 20.9 million viewers on NBC, making it the most watched sporting event since Super Bowl XLIII, according to official national ratings data released today by Nielsen Media Research.
         Prior to last night’s NFL Kickoff, the largest audience for a Thursday season opener came in 2006, when 19.2 million viewers tuned in to see the Steelers beat the Miami Dolphins, 28-17
-Bill Lucey
WPLucey@gmail.com

NFL KICKOFF  THURSDAY NIGHT SEASON OPENERS VIEWERSHIP:
2009: NBC 20.9 million (Pittsburgh 13  Tennessee 10)
2008: NBC 13.5 million (NY Giants 16  Washington 7)
2007: NBC 17.8 million (Indianapolis 41  New Orleans 10)
2006: NBC 19.2 million (Pittsburgh 28 – Miami 17)
2005: ABC 18.0 million (New England 30  Oakland 20)
2004: ABC 16.9 million (New England 27  Indianapolis 24)
2003: ABC 19.1 million (Washington 16  NY Jets 13)
2002  ESPN 10.8 million (San Francisco 16  NY Giants 13)

MOST VIEWED SPORTS PROGRAMS SINCE SUPER BOWL XLIII
1. NFL Kickoff (Titans-Steelers)        20.9 million    NBC
2. NCAA Championship (Mich. St-UNC)  17.6 million    CBS
3. Kentucky Derby                       16.1 million    NBC
T4. NBA Finals, Gm. 4 (Lakers-Magic)    16.0 million    ABC
T4. Daytona 500                         16.0 million    Fox
6. MLB All Star Game                    14.6 million    Fox
7. NCAA Semifinal (Villanova-UNC)       14.5 million    CBS
8. Masters  Final Round                 14.3 million    CBS
9. NBA Finals, Gm. 3                    14.2 million    ABC
T9. NBA Finals, Gm. 5                   14.2 million    ABC

Source: Nielsen Media Research