Manchester Derby breaks record to become most-watched Premier League game in USA television history

Manchester United's Odion Ighalo celebrates after the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester United and Manchester City at Old Trafford in Manchester, England, Sunday, March 8, 2020. Manchester United won 2-0.
Manchester United's Odion Ighalo celebrates after the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester United and Manchester City at Old Trafford in Manchester, England, Sunday, March 8, 2020. Manchester United won 2-0.Dave Thompson | Associated Press
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In Manchester, the derby is always a big event.

It is in the USA as well, apparently.

Last Sunday's Manchester Derby, which was broadcast on NBC and , broke the all-time record for Premier League viewership in America.

The official number was 1.76 million, breaking the old record of 1.72 million for the April 2018 Manchester Derby. NBC led the way with 1.33 million viewers for the Sunday, 12:30 p.m. contest.

Manchester United won this encounter 2-0, with a 97th minute goal from Scott McTominay sealing the three points, and the season double, over Manchester City.

To put that number in perspective, according to the MLB.com website, ESPN averaged 1.601 viewers last season for its Sunday Night Baseball broadcast, while NBC Sports averaged 424,000 people for its NHL coverage last season.

The viewership numbers have been huge for NBC Sports, which has multiple platforms to showcase all types of Premier League content over the course of a week. Now, with the league postponed until April, the league may go into the summer, and give viewers another option in June.

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