Ratings for the USFL opening night
According to the USFL’s twitter account, the inaugural USFL game between the New Jersey Generals and the Birmingham Stallions drew 3 million viewers across all networks and their streaming platforms.
Viewership increased during the closing moments of the game at 10:45 p.m. ET, with 3.5 million tuned in to see Stallions quarterback J’Mar Smith’s two-yard touchdown scamper with 23 ticks remaining to give Birmingham a 28-24 lead that they wouldn’t relinquish.
Saturday’s night game was the first sporting event to broadcast on two competing networks since Super Bowl I in 1967. Viewers were able to tune in to FOX, NBC and stream on Peacock for the inaugural game, with Curt Menefee and Joel Klatt on the call.
The USFL had stiff competition on Saturday night, going up against an NBA Playoff doubleheader on ESPN, as well as the daily lineup of MLB and NHL games, making the projected viewership number an overwhelming success.
