Monday Night Football Preseason Opener: ESPN's Most-Viewed Non-Monday Preseason Game Since 1994
Last night's opening preseason telecast of ESPN's Monday Night Football, a rematch of Super Bowl XLIII between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Arizona Cardinals, earned a 3.6 rating, representing an average of 3,567,000 households (4,755,000 viewers � P2+). It was ESPN's most-viewed non-Monday preseason game since 1994 (42 total non-Monday games since Dallas-New Orleans on Aug. 25, 1994 -- 4,280,000 HHs).
ESPN's game was the most-viewed program of the day (cable or broadcast) among all key male demos. Additionally, ESPN was the No. 1 network for the night (cable or broadcast) among all key male demos, P18-34, and P18-49; ESPN ranked 2nd for the night among households and viewers.
ESPN's new commentator team of Mike Tirico, Ron Jaworski and Jon Gruden made its debut during the Steelers' 20-10 victory. In addition, the telecast included breaking news coverage of the Philadelphia Eagles signing Michael Vick, which was reported by ESPN's senior NFL analyst Chris Mortensen.
THIS WEEK ON MNF
ESPN's MNF preseason schedule continues Monday, Aug. 17, with the Carolina Panthers visiting the New York Giants at 8 p.m. ET. The telecast will be preceded by a one-hour Monday Night Countdown pregame show.
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