The battle for the ratings lived an unexpected set of days this week, but the most watched game featured one stellar guest in a rather unexpected competition.
Once again, the Messi effect in North America has proven to be worthy of praise, as "La Pulga" was involved in the most-watched game of the past week. Surprisingly, with the help of his Inter Miami teammates, he managed to win the first and second place in the ratings podium during their penalty kick win against Cincinnati in the U.S. Open Cup.
The game was the most-watched in the country, with Telemundo and sister network Universo taking the top honors.
In what can only be described as a perfect week for NBC's affiliates, the TV network nabbed the third place in this ranking thanks to the game between Brighton and West Ham, which saw the Hammers claim a 3-1 win. That match came close to matching Messi's antics, but it narrowly missed the 1-million-viewer mark.
Here are the rest of the games that made the cut over last week.
Wednesday, August 23
US Open Cup - FC Cincinnati 3(4)-(5)3 Inter Miami at 7:00 p.m. ET
Channel: Telemundo
Rating: 0.70
Average viewers: 1,352,000
US Open Cup - FC Cincinnati 3(4)-(5)3 Inter Miami at 7:00 p.m. ET
Channel: Universo
Rating: 0.50
Average viewers: 1,006,000
Liga MX - América 3-2 Necaxa at 8:55 p.m. ET
Channel: Univisión
Rating: 0.50
Average viewers: 820,000
Saturday, August 26
Premier League - Bournemouth 0-2 Tottenham at 7:27 a.m. ET
Channel: USA Network.
Rating: 0.20
Average viewers: 313,000
Premier League - Arsenal 2-2 Fulham at 9:57 a.m. ET
Channel: USA Network.
Rating: 0.30
Average viewers: 515,000
Premier League - Brighton 1-3 West Ham at 12:30 p.m. ET
Channel: NBC.
Rating: 0.50
Average viewers: 960,000
Liga MX - Atlas 0-0 Toluca at 6:30 p.m. ET
Channel: Univisión.
Rating: 0.20
Average viewers: 473,000
Liga MX - América 1-1 León at 9:08 p.m. ET
Channel: Univisión.
Rating: 0.40
Average viewers: 945,000
Liga MX - América 1-1 León at 9:08 p.m. ET
Channel: TUDN.
Rating: 0.20
Average viewers: 311,000
Sunday, August 27
Premier League - Sheffield United 1-2 Manchester City at 8:57 a.m. ET
Channel: USA Network.
Rating: 0.20
Average viewers: 414,000
Premier League - Newcastle 1-2 Liverpool at 11:05 a.m. ET
Channel: Telemundo.
Rating: 0.10
Average viewers: 300,000
Premier League - Newcastle 1-2 Liverpool at 11:27 a.m. ET
Channel: USA Network.
Rating: 0.40
Average viewers: 689,000
Major League Soccer - Minnesota 1-1 Seattle Sounders at 4:30 p.m. ET
Channel: FOX.
Rating: 0.20
Average viewers: 320,000
Liga MX - Pumas 2-1 Tigres UANL at 8:00 p.m. ET
Channel: Univisión.
Rating: 0.40
Average viewers: 735,000
Liga MX - Pumas 2-1 Tigres UANL at 8:00 p.m. ET
Channel: TUDN.
Rating: 0.10
Average viewers: 220,000
Liga MX - Monterrey 1-2 Cruz Azul at 10:12 p.m. ET
Channel: Univisión.
Rating: 0.40
Average viewers: 687,000
