The new World Wrestling Federation-backed football league?s opening games generated more than double the ratings level promised to advertisers.
However, the percentage of homes watching the XFL fell sharply as the night wore on, suggesting many tuned out after sampling the product.
NBC's preliminary rating in major cities monitored by Nielsen Media Research of 10.3 (the percentage of homes viewing during an average minute) was good enough to beat rivals CBS, ABC and Fox on the night.
NBC noted that the rating better than doubled its Saturday-night average with movies during January and out-rated a comparable American League Championship Series baseball game in October.
The coverage, however, suffered from uncoordinated camera switches and unintelligible mid-game interviews.
In a post-game news conference, WWF Chairman Vince McMahon said the league is "a start-up" and mistakes were to be expected, with plans to poll viewers about what they liked and didn't like in the broadcasts.
XFL made a solid ratings start at the weekend despite some technical glitches in the coverage.
