Los Angeles - Republican presidential candidate John McCain has set a television ratings record - 38.9 million viewers watched his acceptance speech on Thursday night, according to figures released Friday by ratings firm Nielsen Media Research.

Thursday was also the opening night of the American football season. The New York Giants-Washington Redskins game ended minutes before McCain took to the stage.

McCain's viewing figures narrowly exceeded the 38.4 million viewers who tuned in to watch Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama last week.

Republican running mate Sarah Palin drew 37.2 million on Wednesday night after three days of intense media coverage. Obama's vice presidential pick Senator Joe Biden drew 24 million viewers to his August 27 speech.

McCain and Palin drew a combined total of 76.2 million viewers, compared with the 62.4 million who tuned in to watch the Democratic ticket.