Joe Biden's speech attracts more TV broadcasters than Donald Trump

US President Joe Biden's keynote address on the fight against Covid-19 attracted even more television viewers than former President Donald Trump's first speech on the state, according to preliminary rankings released on Thursday.

Biden's speech on Friday is about watched by 18.2 million people on US broadcasters ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox, Hollywood Publications Deadline and Rap. The speech came just hours after Biden took office on his 50th day, announcing the signing of a 9 1.9 trillion persuasive bill.

Trump's first televised address to the nation was in August 2017, seven months after he took office. The program, which aired on 17.7 million viewers on four broadcast networks, featured him talking about the war in Afghanistan.

Updated figures, including cable TV viewers, were expected to be released later Friday.