Someone might have already posted this - is so my apologies for the redudant thread. wil.
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NEW YORK - The New Orleans Saints’ victory over Indianapolis in the Super Bowl was watched by more than 106 million people, surpassing the 1983 finale of “M*A*S*H’’ to become the most-watched program in US television history, the Nielsen Co. said yesterday.
Compelling storylines involving the city of New Orleans and its ongoing recovery from Hurricane Katrina and the attempt at a second Super Bowl ring for Colts quarterback Peyton Manning propelled the viewership. Football ratings have been strong all season.
“It was one of those magical moments that you don’t often see in sports,’’ said Sean McManus, president of CBS News and Sports.
Nielsen estimated that 106.5 million people watched Sunday’s game. The “M*A*S*H’’ record was 105.97 million.
The viewership estimate obliterated the previous record viewership for a Super Bowl - last year’s game between Arizona and Pittsburgh. That game was seen by 98.7 million people, Nielsen said.
The “M*A*S*H’’ record has proven as durable and meaningful in television as Babe Ruth’s record of 714 home runs was in baseball until topped by Hank Aaron.
Ultimately, it may be hard to tell which program really was watched by more people. There’s a margin for error in such numbers, and Nielsen’s estimate was preliminary, and could change with a more thorough look at data due today.
“It’s significant for all of the members of the broadcasting community,’’ said Leslie Moonves, <ORG idsrc="NYSE" value="CBS">CBS Corp.</ORG> CEO. “For anyone who wants to write that broadcasting is dead, 106 million people watched this program. You can’t find that anywhere else.’’
Moonves predicted CBS will earn more in advertising revenue than in any other Super Bowl. The good ratings for the game and football in general also set CBS and other football broadcasters up well when selling advertising for next season, he said.
The Nielsen estimate also drew some congratulations from Alan Alda, the star of “M*A*S*H,’’ whose record was beaten.
“If the ‘M*A*S*H’ audience was eclipsed, it was probably due in large part to the fact that the whole country is rooting for New Orleans to triumph in every way possible,’’ Alda said.
“I am, too, and I couldn’t be happier for them. I love that city.’’
There are more American homes with television sets now (114.9 million) than there were in 1983 (83.3 million). An estimated 77 percent of homes with TVs on were watching “M*A*S*H’’ in 1983, compared with the audience share of 68 for the Super Bowl.
Nielsen also measures only the United States, and it’s possible some World Cup soccer games were seen more worldwide.
Accurate measurement of television audiences outside the US is spotty at best.
Boston Globe
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NEW YORK - The New Orleans Saints’ victory over Indianapolis in the Super Bowl was watched by more than 106 million people, surpassing the 1983 finale of “M*A*S*H’’ to become the most-watched program in US television history, the Nielsen Co. said yesterday.
Compelling storylines involving the city of New Orleans and its ongoing recovery from Hurricane Katrina and the attempt at a second Super Bowl ring for Colts quarterback Peyton Manning propelled the viewership. Football ratings have been strong all season.
“It was one of those magical moments that you don’t often see in sports,’’ said Sean McManus, president of CBS News and Sports.
Nielsen estimated that 106.5 million people watched Sunday’s game. The “M*A*S*H’’ record was 105.97 million.
The viewership estimate obliterated the previous record viewership for a Super Bowl - last year’s game between Arizona and Pittsburgh. That game was seen by 98.7 million people, Nielsen said.
The “M*A*S*H’’ record has proven as durable and meaningful in television as Babe Ruth’s record of 714 home runs was in baseball until topped by Hank Aaron.
Ultimately, it may be hard to tell which program really was watched by more people. There’s a margin for error in such numbers, and Nielsen’s estimate was preliminary, and could change with a more thorough look at data due today.
“It’s significant for all of the members of the broadcasting community,’’ said Leslie Moonves, <ORG idsrc="NYSE" value="CBS">CBS Corp.</ORG> CEO. “For anyone who wants to write that broadcasting is dead, 106 million people watched this program. You can’t find that anywhere else.’’
Moonves predicted CBS will earn more in advertising revenue than in any other Super Bowl. The good ratings for the game and football in general also set CBS and other football broadcasters up well when selling advertising for next season, he said.
The Nielsen estimate also drew some congratulations from Alan Alda, the star of “M*A*S*H,’’ whose record was beaten.
“If the ‘M*A*S*H’ audience was eclipsed, it was probably due in large part to the fact that the whole country is rooting for New Orleans to triumph in every way possible,’’ Alda said.
“I am, too, and I couldn’t be happier for them. I love that city.’’
There are more American homes with television sets now (114.9 million) than there were in 1983 (83.3 million). An estimated 77 percent of homes with TVs on were watching “M*A*S*H’’ in 1983, compared with the audience share of 68 for the Super Bowl.
Nielsen also measures only the United States, and it’s possible some World Cup soccer games were seen more worldwide.
Accurate measurement of television audiences outside the US is spotty at best.
Boston Globe
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