Manchester City vs Arsenal: A Record-Breaking Snoozefest in the US
The much-anticipated Premier League clash between Manchester City and Arsenal on Sunday might not have lived up to its billing on the pitch, but it certainly made history off it.
According to Daily Mail, the match shattered viewership records in the United States, becoming the most-watched Premier League match ever broadcast there.
Record Millions Tune In For Manchester City v Arsenal
NBC Sports, the official Premier League broadcaster in the US, reported a staggering 2.12 million viewers tuning in for the Manchester City v Arsenal match.
This surpasses the previous record of 1.96 million viewers set during the equally dramatic Liverpool vs Arsenal clash in December 2023.
But the audience numbers get even more impressive when you consider the Spanish-speaking fanbase.
Combining viewership on Telemundo, the Spanish-language station, the total audience for the Manchester City vs Arsenal match reaches a whopping 2.59 million.
This represents a significant jump in Premier League viewership in the US and highlights the growing popularity of the league across the Atlantic.
A Sign of Growing Interest in the Premier League
Despite the disappointing 0-0 draw, which left many fans frustrated by the lack of attacking intent, the high viewership numbers paint a positive picture for the Premier League’s growing popularity in the US.
This season alone, five out of the top six most-watched matches in NBC Sports history have been Premier League games. This trend is likely to continue as NBC takes its popular “Premier League Mornings Live” show on the road to a new American city.
This weekend, fans in Nashville, Tennessee, will get a chance to experience the pre-game show live, further solidifying the league’s commitment to engaging with its American fanbase.
Title Race Heats Up Despite Draw
Although the match itself failed to deliver the goals fans craved, the Premier League title race remains fiercely competitive.
With nine games remaining in the season, Liverpool maintains a precarious hold on the top spot with 67 points. However, Arsenal (65 points) and Manchester City (64 points) are hot on their heels, making for a thrilling race to the finish line.
Both City and Arsenal will be looking to bounce back from the disappointing draw and secure vital points in their upcoming matches to keep their title hopes alive.
This record-breaking viewership, despite the lack of goals on the pitch, suggests that American fans are increasingly captivated by the drama and excitement of the Premier League.
With the title race heating up and NBC Sports actively engaging with American audiences, the future of the Premier League in the US looks bright.
Meanwhile following Manchester City’s disappointing 0-0 draw with Arsenal, Sports Buddy reported on Keane’s comments about Haaland’s performance, where he stated,
“In front of goal he’s the best in the world, but his general play for such a player – it is so poor. Not just today. He has to improve that.”
