Giants-Patriots Matchup Most-Watched Super Bowl Ever

Super Bowl XLII Second Only to Series Finale of M*A*S*H

By B&C Staff -- Broadcasting & Cable, 2/4/2008 12:49:00 PM

The New York Giants’ upset victory over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLII was the most-watched Super Bowl ever.

According to fast-national ratings released Monday by Nielsen Media Research, an average 97.5 million viewers tuned in Sunday, far outstripping the previous record of 94.1 million for Super Bowl XXX in 1996.

The record viewership makes Super Bowl XLII the second-most-watched TV program in history behind the series finale of M*A*S*H, which drew some 106 million in 1983.

The contest also broke a record for total viewership, with 148.3 million viewers (persons age 2+ watching all or part of the game). The previous record stood at 144.4 million for Super Bowl XXXVIII in 2004.

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