The Super Bowl XLIV on Sunday night became the most-watched program in television history.
The Super Bowl XLIV on Sunday night became the most-watched program in television history. It was watched by over 106 million people. Nielsen estimated that 106.5 million people tuned in for the sports event on Sunday night where the New Orleans Saints went on to beat the Indianapolis Colts for the title of Super Bowl champions. The Super Bowl, which took place in Miami, was much-hyped for the first appearance of the New Orleans Saints in a Super Bowl game and the possibility of a second Super Bowl ring for quarterback Peyton Manning before his possible retirement. The Super Bowl surpassed the finale of “M*A*S*H,” which until Sunday night was the highest-rated program in television history. In an era with fewer television sets in people’s homes, it held the record since February 28th, 1983. Sunday night’s record ratings also made Super Bowl XLIV the most-watched Super Bowl in history. The previous record holder was last year’s game between Arizona and Pittsburgh, which was watched by 98.7 million people. The New Orleans Saints won their first NFL title on Sunday after they beat the Indianapolis Colts 31-17.
