Both teams began making their way onto the pitch as the noise around St James' Park rose to another level.
The Newcastle players emerged to a wall of sound from the home support, while Wigan, emerging at the same time, were met by a much smaller but enthusiastic crowd in the away end.
This was league football again.
The players took their places in front of the stands and across the pitch, the Newcastle supporters had already started singing, their voices rolling around the stadium before either side had even touched the ball.
"Good afternoon, everyone, and welcome back," the main commentator began on the broadcast.
"It feels like we've been waiting forever for this, doesn't it? A few weeks without club football, international matches taking centre stage, and now finally, the Premier League is back."
"It certainly does," his co-commentator replied. "And if it isn't the World Cup, there's really nothing quite like club football."
"That's exactly right."
