Sunday evening's Super Bowl between the Colts and Saints -- which the Saints won 31-17 -- has been declared the most watched TV program of all-time. The overnight rating, according to the Los Angeles Times, was a whopping 46.4, which is the largest overnight figure since the Giants and Broncos played Super Bowl XXI all the way back in 1987. Last season's game between the Steelers and Cardinals scored an overnight rating of 42.1, but once the final numbers were released it was revealed to be the most watched game in history -- with 98.7 million viewers. Now that the final count is in, however, we've learned that Super Bowl XLIV was much more than simply the highest rated Super Bowl. The series finale of M*A*S*H, long-standing record-holder of the most watched program in TV history, drew 105.97 million viewers. The Nielsen ratings have revealed that Sunday's Super Bowl drew 106.5 million viewers.
As is this isn't insane enough, CBS has released a statement with more details on the event. In the final 15 minutes of the game, the rating score was 50.6, meaning that more than half of the households in the entire country were tuned in. This number also had a 71 share for the audience. Translation: an incredible 71 percent of the televisions in the entire nation were set to the Super Bowl.
New Orleans topped the list in terms of ratings, with an estimated 82 percent of TVs on the game. Washington, Nashville, Indianapolis and Columbus followed.
The feat is much more impressive when you consider all the alternatives. Back in the 1980s, it was pretty easy for major sporting events to garner gargantuan ratings, but nowadays there are literally hundreds of other channels from which viewers can choose -- not to mention the options the Internet provides. The fact that there are so many people watching one game in 2010 shows the NFL is truly a monster company.
Next stop, Skyline Chili. RT @terrellowens: Okayyyyyy I got it now, 2 n's & 1 t! CINCINNATI!! LOL!
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Great game, and the best part was the officials letting the players decide the game, unlike XL or XLIII.
One of the best Super Bowl games in NFL history only one turnover and hardly no penalties. Both of these teams played like a champion.
Being born in Louisiana was enough but living to see the 'aint's' becoming the Super Bowl Saints was the highlight of my elder years. The answer to my prayers last night. Great playing!
The Super Bowl of all the previous ones. Very GOOD game and the outcome was even better. Too, I really enjoyed Drew Brees' post game comments! He impressed me as a very nice Christian man and father!!!
The GAME is the thing and last night it delivered. Thankfully, because the always watched commercials dumped and the half time show was sub par. Room for improvement.
I've seen alot of championship nfl in my lifetime, but as far as a good game, this was not one of them.
Even without the majority of Cowboy fans I knew, who were moping around all day, whining about how they didn't care and weren't going to watch, it made television history!
It also didn't include those of us who don't have cable or dish, and cannot receive CBS in our homes since "the big switch". This isn't to say we didn't watch the Saints make history. As I cheered them on at the local laundromat, along with a small group of like-minded strangers, I wondered how many more "alternative super-bowl parties" were going on, all uncounted. I wonder what the real numbers would be, had so many of my friends lost access to broadcast television.
Let's not be putting down Cowboys fans!!!! We did beat NO in regular season, and most of us were rooting for the Saints, watching and NOT moping!!!!!!! Great win for them..... SB XLV will be at our house next year, so don't count us out ;)
btw, we own the highest ratings outside the SB on just about every channel ;) ;) do your research.....
Had so many of my friends NOT lost access to broadcast television.
Ease Up on Peyton Manning. He played a great game, The difference was the coaching, The Saints had nothing to lose and mixed things up and surprised the Colts, the Colts played traditional football and could not counteract. The difference in the game was 2 plays. Don't Blame Manning.
the colts didn't even show up second half, so the saints can enjoy the hand out.
A hand out - are you kidding!! Poor loser. Oh they showed up but were unraveled! GEAUX SAINTS
Americans love a good comeback, a rags-to-riches story, an innocent man who gets justice or, a victory for a city that has been living in turmoil.
This is why yesterday’s Super Bowl win tasted like Pecan Pie for New Orleans and for many Americans. For the first time in NFL history the Saints came up and conquered, restoring hope to a city that has been in a struggling economy for the last four years.
After Hurricane Katrina, Americans showed solidarity and assisted New Orleans by setting up relief funds, medical aid, rebuilding houses, and donating time to America’s city in chaos.
New Orleans hung in there, took their handouts and did what was necessary to survive after such a devastating event. But, yesterday it was different.
The Saints sent out one big thank you to all of America and finally won back their city fair and square. No more handouts. It was symbolism at its best. Maybe even a fairytale…the stories my mom would prelude with, “remember this is only imaginary.”
After the game, I thought… finally some good karma, some divine intervention for this city. This is a perfect scenario for an economy that has been suffering for so long. This victory is sure to give New Orleans a good boost.
However, my cynical side kicked in, the one where they yell, no! not another conspiracy theory! No, they are not the voices in my head that yell, but the die-hard Saints’ fans and of course my friends who always cheer for the underdog.
I started to think… was this another handout given out by Corporate America? Was this an Ode to My Mum: putting out that disclaimer at the beginning of the fairytale?
The NFL is big business… Did Peyton Manning take one for the other team? Or, did he take one for his home town?
And, if the Colts did lose this Bowl for the betterment of society aren’t they the real heroes or are they just gettin paid.
Didn’t this sort of thing happen with boxing too? After a while, we pretty much knew a fight might be fixed? It’s hard to believe that we can’t just have a good ol’ fashion American Football Fairytale rather than a Corporate American Hand-Me-Down Dream.
Or, perhaps I’m still dealing with mommy issues?
I think you are a nut case the Saints won they beat a great team now Brees is the best Qb and manning is on his downfall Saints Super bowl champs in 2011 Go Saints
IT HAS HAPPENED .I KNEW SOME AHOLE WOULD SAY THAT WE WON THE GAME BECAUSE IT WAS GIVEN TO US... NO MATTER WHAT WE DO IN NEW ORLEANS ,THERE WILL ALWAYS BE MORONS LIKE THIS ONE THAT JUST CAN'T ACCEPT REALITY...