Thursday, October 29, 2026

Manchester United-Liverpool Sets Peacock Viewership Record

  • The previous record holder was also a Manchester United-Liverpool match.
  • The Aug. 22 match was not simulcast on NBC or USA Network, but rather was a Peacock exclusive.
Manchester-United
Manchester United

Want more from Front Office Sports
in your search results?

Add Front Office Sports on Google

Manchester United and Liverpool continue to be two of the Premier League’s biggest draws in the United States — and now the rivalry is helping boost exclusive streaming numbers.

Monday’s match between the English soccer giants — a 2-1 victory for Man U — reportedly drew an average of 796,000 viewers on Peacock — the largest viewing audience ever for NBC’s nascent streaming service.

The previous record was set at 792,000 average viewers — when the Red Devils played the Reds on Oct. 24, 2021.

Besides the fact that United and Liverpool are two of EPL’s most popular clubs, the new record was aided by the fact that the Aug. 22 match was not simulcast on NBC or USA Network, but rather was a Peacock exclusive.

NBC re-upped on its rights to the Premier League in November, reportedly shelling out $2.7 billion to extend the partnership six years until 2028.

It’s a seemingly solid strategy thus far: In July, Peacock reported that it had booked $1 billion in upfront ad revenue this year — double the $500 million it did in 2021.

Download the FOS App

The business of sports, in your pocket.

QR code to download the app

Scan the QR code to get the app now.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Ken Griffin’s $32M to GOP Towers Over Soccer Election Spending

MLS owners spent about $4.5 million on the midterms.

Pro Sports Owners Have Poured Over $100 Million Into the Midterms

Mavs owner Miriam Adelson is by far the biggest spender in sports.

World Series TV Viewership Beats Expectations

No Dodgers in this year’s World Series? No problem for Fox Sports.

WNBA Finals Game 6 Will Test Daytime Sports Viewership

The Valkyries would clinch the WNBA Finals with a win Thursday.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

10/29/26 – Brewers Win World Series, Ernie Leaving ‘Inside the NBA,’ Saquon’s Polymarket Exit

0:00

Featured Today

Football - NFL - Houston Texans v Jacksonville Jaguars - Wembley Stadium, London, Britain - October 18, 2026 The necklace of a Jacksonville Jaguars fan outside the stadium before the match

Die-Hard Sports Fandom Has Reached the Afterlife

Will fans pay $6,000 to memorialize their team loyalty?
October 20, 2026

Why Europe Is Pumping Out NBA Superstars

The NBA and NCAA have an increasingly European flavor.
October 15, 2026

College Flag Football Is Outgrowing Its DIY Era

Women have been building the college game themselves at the club level.
Oct 5, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas arrives at the arena before the Penguins host the Winnipeg Jets at PPG Paints Arena
October 12, 2026

NHL’s New Wave of GMs Is Built Different

“I am in the prediction business,” Devils GM Sunny Mehta tells FOS.
Action Images/Peter Cziborra
October 9, 2026

Is Leicester City’s $264 Million Price Tag Too Rich for Hungry Investors?

After falling from grace, how much is a former top club worth?
Nadia DeMarinis/FOS

Brian Kelly Not Closing Door on Return to Coaching

Kelly tells FOS he’s willing to listen about a return to the sidelines.
Milwaukee Brewers right fielder Sal Frelick (10) watches his RBI double during the fifth inning of Game 3 of the World Series against the Tampa Bay Rays Monday, Oct. 26, 2026 at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida.
October 29, 2026

Why Fox Downplayed World Series Game 3 Ratings

A Brewers rout and the sports equinox drove viewership far lower.
October 29, 2026

Skydance Shakes Up CBS, TNT Sports C-Suites After Takeover

Skydance is beginning to remake CBS and TNT.
Sponsored

How the New York Yankees Stay Game-Ready with Sage Intacct

See how Sage Intacct helps the Yankees streamline finances and plan for the future.
October 28, 2026

McAfee Details FBI ‘GameDay’ Guidance After Kirk Shooting

He confirmed an FOS story that FBI protected him from assassination attempts.
Apr 3, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Ernie Johnson looks on during a practice session ahead of the Final Four of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium.
October 28, 2026

Ernie Johnson Leaving ‘Inside the NBA’ After 37 Years

He’ll still be around for March Madness and other projects for TNT and CBS.
Sep 14, 2026; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Broadcaster Pat McAfee prior to a game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Denver Broncos at Arrowhead Stadium.
October 27, 2026

ESPN Stands by McAfee’s ‘Very Real and Valid’ Concerns

An ESPN spokeswoman says the network takes all threats very seriously.
October 27, 2026

Jerry Jones Says Cowboys Hiring Troy Aikman ‘Very Possible’

Jones and Aikman spoke on the field Monday night.