Kansas City Chiefs' NFL kickoff game victory sets record with highest viewership since 2002

The Kansas City Chiefs' victory over the Baltimore Ravens in the NFL kickoff game broke viewership records, attracting a total audience average of 28.9 million viewers.

Why it matters: The significant increase in viewership highlights the continued popularity and influence of football as a major cultural event.

By the numbers:

The game set a new record as the most-watched NFL kickoff game since its inception in 2002, surpassing the previous record set in 2015.
Streaming platforms were not included in audience figures until 2016, indicating that the actual viewership could be even higher.
The increase in viewership demonstrates the sustained interest in the sport and the NFL's ability to captivate audiences year after year.

Yes, but: While the high viewership is impressive, it is essential to consider the overall trend in sports consumption. Traditional TV viewership has been declining across various sports, making the Chiefs-Ravens game's success noteworthy.

What to watch: The strong ratings for the NFL kickoff game may set the tone for the rest of the season, indicating continued high interest and engagement from fans.

The bottom line: Football remains a dominant force in American sports culture, drawing millions of viewers to tune in and experience the excitement of the game.

Kansas City Chiefs' NFL kickoff game victory sets record with highest viewership since 2002

The Kansas City Chiefs' victory over the Baltimore Ravens in the NFL kickoff game broke viewership records, attracting a total audience average of 28.9 million viewers.

Why it matters: The significant increase in viewership highlights the continued popularity and influence of football as a major cultural event.

By the numbers:

The game set a new record as the most-watched NFL kickoff game since its inception in 2002, surpassing the previous record set in 2015.

Streaming platforms were not included in audience figures until 2016, indicating that the actual viewership could be even higher.

The increase in viewership demonstrates the sustained interest in the sport and the NFL's ability to captivate audiences year after year.

What to watch: The strong ratings for the NFL kickoff game may set the tone for the rest of the season, indicating continued high interest and engagement from fans.

The bottom line: Football remains a dominant force in American sports culture, drawing millions of viewers to tune in and experience the excitement of the game.