Sunday evening’s telecast of Super Bowl XLV on Fox was the most
watched program in television history, according to preliminary
results from the Nielsen Co., breaking the record set by last
year’s game.
By David B. Wilkerson – MarketWatch
CHICAGO – Sunday evening’s telecast of Super Bowl XLV on Fox was the most watched program in television history, according to preliminary results from the Nielsen Co., breaking the record set by last year’s game.
The thrilling 31-25 victory for the Green Bay Packers over the Pittsburgh Steelers was seen by an average audience of 111 million viewers, breaking the record of 106.5 million set by Super Bowl XLIV, broadcast on CBS. In that contest, the New Orleans Saints defeated the Indianapolis Colts 31-17.
More than 53 million households watched this year’s Super Bowl, for a preliminary rating of 46, Nielsen said.
The game was in doubt until less than two minutes remained.
Though Green Bay led all the way, in front by as many as 18 points, Pittsburgh fought back, trailing just 28-25 late in the fourth quarter. Green Bay kicked a field goal to make it 31-25, but Pittsburgh had a chance to take the lead on its final possession. After a fourth-down pass by Steeler quarterback Ben Roethlisberger went awry, Green Bay took over and ran out the clock.
Super Bowl XLV matched up two of the NFL’s oldest teams with the largest fan bases, just about assuring that the game would be among the most popular.
