Sunday night's Super Bowl XLIV (that's 44 in non-pretentious language) scored more than 106 million viewers, Nielsen says, nudging out the 1983 finale of M*A*S*H as American TV's most-watched show ever.

CBS was crowing these details the day after:

02.08.2010
CBS SPORTS' COVERAGE OF SUPER BOWL XLIV IS MOST-WATCHED PROGRAM IN TELEVISION HISTORY

AVERAGE OF 106.5 MILLION WATCH NEW ORLEANS WIN SUPER BOWL XLIV AS GAME TOPS M*A*S*H FINALE IN 1983

Network Garners Fast National Household Rating/Share of 45.0/68 - Highest in 14 Years

CBS Sports' coverage of Super Bowl XLIV, featuring the NEW ORLEANS SAINTS' 31-17 win over the INDIANAPOLIS COLTS on Sunday, Feb 7 (6:31-9:50 PM, ET), was watched by a Nielsen estimated average of 106.5 million viewers, making it the most-watched program in television history, eclipsing the finale of M*A*S*H in 1983 (106 million).

The CBS Television Network's coverage of Super Bowl XLIV earned an average fast national household rating/share of 45.0/68, up +7% from last year's 42.0/64 (Pittsburgh-Arizona), making it the highest-rated Super Bowl in 14 years (1/28/96; 46.0/68; Dallas-Pittsburgh).

Last night's Super Bowl HH rating/share peaked at a 48.5/70 from 9:00-9:30 PM, ET with an average of 114.1 million viewers.

Nielsen estimates that CBS's coverage of Super Bowl XLIV was seen in-all-or part* by an estimated 153.4 million viewers, +1% higher than last year's previous high of 151.6 million (NBC).

[* = six minutes-or-more]

1 Comments

Colleen said:

Impressive numbers - why do I think it's more a result of people staying home to watch the game, rather than hitting the local bars or going to a party to watch?

Just sayin'. :)

February 8, 2010 5:02 PM