151.6 Million Total Viewers & 98.7 Million Average Viewers Watch Super Bowl XLIII

NBC's telecast of Super Bowl XLIII on Sunday goes into the record books as the most-viewed U.S. television broadcast in history, with 151.6 million persons watching all or some of the telecast (at least six minutes), according to official national ratings data released today by Nielsen Media Research.

"It's always incredibly satisfying to amass large audiences, but this television record simply reaffirms the power of the Super Bowl and the National Football League," said Dick Ebersol, Chairman, NBC Universal Sports & Olympics.

"Everyone associated with the NFL should feel a great sense of pride in this accomplishment and in providing a day of enjoyment to American families – especially those who are struggling in these difficult times."

MOST VIEWED TELEVISION PROGRAMS IN HISTORY (total viewers):

The total audience of 151.6 million viewers tops last year's Super Bowl XLII, Giants vs Patriots record audience of 148.3 million viewers by 3.3 million viewers. Total audience measures viewership for all or part of a broadcast.

MOST-WATCHED SUPER BOWLS (average viewers):

The average viewership of 98.7 million is tops in Super Bowl history, beating last year’s game by 1.2 million viewers (97.5 million). NBC now owns two of the top three and three of the top five most watched Super Bowls of all-time, with Super Bowl XXX third on the list with 94.1 million viewers and Super Bowl XXVII fifth with 91.0 million viewers.

In average viewership, Super Bowl XLIII is the second most-watched television broadcast in history, with its audience of 98.7 million viewers overall for the game's full duration. That average 98.7 million for Super Bowl XLIII tops last year's Super Bowl XLII, previously the most-watched Super Bowl (97.5 million). The 1983 series finale of "M*A*S*H" averaged 106 million viewers and is the most-watched television broadcast in history based on average viewership, however the 151.6 million persons who watched all or some of Sunday's game top the estimated 122 million who watched all or some of that "M*A*S*H" finale.

The M*A*S*H finale in 1983 averaged 106 million viewers and total audience figures for the program are estimated to be 122 million viewers.

SUPER BOWL XLIII RELATED

Super Bowl XLIII: Better Than Super
Super Bowl XLIII: Steelers 27 Cardinals 23

The Super Bowl keeps topping itself. Last year, it was Eli Manning escaping a horde of rushers to connect with David Tyree on that unreal "helmet catch." Last Sunday in Super Bowl XLIII in Tampa Bay, it was Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger flinging a pass "I thought was going to be picked," as he described it, to Santonio Holmes, who, straining on his tiptoes, made only the latest "greatest Super Bowl catch ever" to give Pittsburgh a 27-23 victory over Arizona.

Steelers Defeat Cardinals 27-23, Holmes MVP
Super Bowl XLIII: Steelers 27 Cardinals 23

Santonio Holmes extended his arms, kept his feet on the ground and held on to Ben Roethlisberger's perfectly placed pass deep in the right corner of the end zone.

The amazing touchdown catch -- against three Cardinal defenders -- capped an 8-play 78 yard drive with 35 seconds remaining.

Thus, giving the Pittsburgh Steelers a 27-23 victory over the Arizona Cardinals in Super Bowl XLIII.

Arizona Cardinals Relaxed Atmosphere in Final Prep
Super Bowl XLIII: Cardinals Practice Report - January 31, 2009

The Cardinals kept the atmosphere relaxed as the team completed their final preparations for Super Bowl XLIII with a walk-through practice.

Steelers Set for Super Bowl Showdown
Super Bowl XLIII: Steelers Practice Report - January 31, 2009

Summing up the week, Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin said: "It's been good. Ultimately, though, it will be judged by how we perform tomorrow. We understand that."

Loose & Relaxed Steelers Ready to Play
Super Bowl XLIII: Steelers Practice Report - January 30. 2009

The Pittsburgh Steelers, appearing loose and relaxed for the third straight day, hustled through their final major practice prior to Super Bowl XLIII Friday, and coach Mike Tomlin said his team was completely healthy heading into Super Bowl XLIII against the Arizona Cardinals.

Cards QB Kurt Warner Looks Sharp in Final Major Practice
Super Bowl XLIII: Cardinals Practice Report - January 30. 2009

Starting quarterback Kurt Warner may have had his best throwing day of the week on Friday, misfiring on only three passes during the two hour and 20-minute practice. "Kurt looked like he's been looking," Whisenhunt said. "He was consistent and made some good throws. He looked sharp."

Cardinals Anquan Boldin Looking Good

Wide receiver Anquan Boldin participated fully and showed no effects of a hamstring injury that caused him to miss the Divisional Playoff game against Carolina. "He looked good today and he also looked good late last week," Whisenhunt said of Boldin. "We took a little easier on him early last week just to be safe."

Steelers Hines Ward Not 100% But Ready to Go

Other than Ward, the 32-year old inspirational lead of the Pittsburgh offense, the Steelers have no health issues on either side of the ball, Tomlin said. But the coach was dismissive when asked if he was concerned about Ward's status for Sunday's game. "Hines is playing," Tomlin said. "I'm not worried about him."

Cards Focus on Steelers' Big 3-D

For the two major practices in Tampa, the Cardinals have had scout defensive players wear the jersey numbers for Pittsburgh's Big 3-D, linebackers James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley and safety Troy Polamalu. "It helps our receivers and Kurt (Warner) in order to identify defenses," Whisenhunt said of the common practice method.

Big Ben's Health Often Subject of Inaccurate Reports

Big Ben's Health Often Subject of Inaccurate Reports Steelers Coach Mike Tomlin denied a Profootballtalk.com report that Roethlisberger has undergone X-rays on his back this week. "Not that I heard," said Tomlin, who then asked Steelers spokesman Dave Lockett if he knew of any X-rays on Roethlisberger. Lockett said no. Then Tomlin said: "Ben's health is often the subject of inaccurate reports. He's fine."

Larry Fitzgerald, Simply Amazing
Super Bowl XLIII: Larry Fitzgerald

Cardinals receiver Larry Fitzgerald has been simply amazing with a playoffs record 419 receiving yards and an inspiring performance against the Eagles in the NFC Championship.

Kurt Warner, Renaissance Man
Super Bowl XLIII: Kurt Warner

Not only is Kurt Warner getting better with age, but he's raising his level of play as the stakes get higher. No better example than this year's playoff run.

Steelers Game-By-Game Playoff Statistics

Cardinals Game-By-Game Playoff Statistics

Steelers Defeat Ravens 23-14, Advance to Super Bowl XLIII

The Pittsburgh Steelers advanced to their 7th Super Bowl appearance overall and second in four seasons by defeating the Baltimore Ravens 23-14 in the AFC Championship Game at Heinz Field.

Super Bowl XLIII in the Cards for Arizona
NFC Championship: Cardinals Defeat Eagles 32-25, Advance to Super Bowl XLIII

The Arizona Cardinals advance to Super Bowl XLIII with a 32-25 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Championship.

The Cardinals jumped out to a 24-6 halftime lead, but the Eagles stormed back with 19 unanswered points in the second half to take a 25-24 lead with 10:56 left in the game. The Cardinals responded with a 14-play, 72-yard drive capped off by Kurt Warner’s 4th touchdown pass, an eight-yard shuffle pass to Cardinals running back Tim Hightower.