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Super Bowl XLIX on NBC logo
Super Bowl XLIX on NBC logo

Super Bowl XLIX on NBC is most-watched show in U.S. television history

by jmaloni

Submitted

Mon, Feb 2nd 2015 07:05 pm

114.4 million watched Patriots-Seahawks in Super Bowl XLIX, topping last year's Super Bowl by 2.2 million

Super Bowl XLIX on NBC, featuring the New England Patriots' history-making comeback from 10 points behind in the fourth quarter to defeat the Seattle Seahawks, 28-24, is the most-watched television program in U.S. history, and the highest-rated Super Bowl in 30 seasons, according to fast national data released today by The Nielsen Company.

The game was seen by a record 114.4 million viewers (6:31-10:10 p.m. ET), topping by 2.2 million viewers last year's Super Bowl XLVIII on FOX. It is the biggest audience to watch a television program in U.S. history.

"Last night's Patriots-Seahawks Super Bowl ranks among the most exciting sporting events in U.S. history," said Mark Lazarus, chairman of NBC Sports Group. "Super Bowl XLIX delivered for all of our partners, proving once again that the Super Bowl is the most dominant and consistent property on television."

MOST-WATCHED PROGRAMS IN U.S. TELEVISION HISTORY*

1. 114.4 Million - Super Bowl XLIX, NBC (last night's game)

2. 112.2 Million - Super Bowl XLVIII, FOX (February 2014)

3. 111.3 Million - Super Bowl XLVI, NBC (February 2012)

4. 111.0 Million - Super Bowl XLV, FOX (February 2011)

5. 108.7 Million - Super Bowl XLVII, CBS (February 2013)

6. 106.5 Million - Super Bowl XLIV, CBS (February 2010)

7. 106.0 Million - M.A.S.H. Finale, CBS (February 1983)

8. 98.7 Million - Super Bowl XLIII, NBC (February 2009)

*for Super Bowls, includes only full game telecasts

HIGHEST-RATED SUPER BOWL IN 30 SEASONS

The game earned a 47.5 rating and a 71 share, a gain of 2 percent from last year's 46.7/69 for Super Bowl XLVIII and is the highest-rated Super Bowl since 1986 (Bears-Patriots, Super Bowl XX, 48.3/70). The 47.5 rating is the fourth highest in Super Bowl history and ranks as ninth-highest-rated program in television history.

HIGEST-RATED SUPER BOWLS

1. 49.1/73 - Super Bowl XVI, CBS (January 1982)

2. 48.6/69 - Super Bowl XVII, NBC (January 1983)

3. 48.3/70 - Super Bowl XX, NBC (January 1986)

4. 47.5/71 - Super Bowl XLIX, NBC (last night's game)

5. 47.2/67 - Super Bowl XII, CBS (January 1978)

6. 47.1/74 - Super Bowl XIII, NBC (January 1979)

7. 47.0/71 - Super Bowl XLVI, NBC (February 2012)

8. 46.7/69 - Super Bowl XLVIII, FOX (February 2014)

T9. 46.4/71 - Super Bowl XVIII, CBS (January 1984)

T9. 46.4/63 - Super Bowl XIX, ABC (January 1985)

T9. 46.4/69 - Super Bowl XLVII, CBS (February 2013)

VIEWERSHIP PEAKS DURING PATRIOTS' GAME-WINNING DRIVE

The viewership peaked at 120.8 million viewers from 9:45-10 p.m. during the fourth quarter, when Super Bowl MVP Tom Brady completed 13 of 15 pass attempts for 124 yards and two touchdowns.

HALF HOUR VIEWERSHIP (Times ET):

  • 6:31-7, 99.5 million
  • 7-7:30, 109.7 million
  • 7:30-8, 116.6 million
  • 8-8:30, 118.5 million
  • 8:30-9, 118.1 million
  • 9-9:30, 116.9 million
  • 9:30-10, 119.2 million
  • 10-10:10, 120.3 million

HALF HOUR RATINGS (Times ET):

  • 6:31-7, 42.7/68
  • 7-7:30, 45.9/71
  • 7:30-8, 48.0/72
  • 8-8:30, 48.2/72
  • 8:30-9, 48.2/71
  • 9-9:30, 48.2/70
  • 9:30-10, 50.2/72
  • 10-10:10, 51.3/74

FINAL HALF HOUR OF PRE-GAME SHOW MOST-WATCHED ON RECORD

From 6-6:30 p.m. ET, the Super Bowl XLIX pregame show averaged 72.7 million viewers, ranking as the most watched pre-kickoff segment on record (since the advent of the People Meter in 1988), and a 6 percent increase from the similar time period last year (68.6 million).

•The Super Bowl XLIX postgame show (10:10-10:38) averaged 72.5 million viewers - up 10 percent from last year's 65.8 million viewers for Super Bowl XLVIII on FOX.

HALFTIME SHOW FEATURING KATY PERRY IS MOST-WATCHED & HIGHEST RATED EVER

The halftime performance by Katy Perry during the 8-8:30 p.m. half hour, was seen by 118.5 million viewers, over 3 million viewers more than last year's halftime featuring Bruno Mars (115.3 million), and is the most-watched Super Bowl halftime show featuring entertainment ever (dating back to 1991).

•The halftime show earned a 48.2/72 household rating, 2 percent higher than last year (47.2/70) and is the highest-rated halftime show featuring entertainment ever.

'THE BLACKLIST' AND 'TONIGHT SHOW' DELIVER DOMINANT NUMBERS

NBC's post-Super Bowl telecast of "The Blacklist" set series records of 26.5 million viewers overall and an 8.7 rating in adults 18-49, making it the highest-scoring primetime entertainment telecast on the "Big 4" networks in both measures since the Academy Awards last March. It was also NBC's most-watched scripted program in more than 10 years, since "ER" averaged 28.3 million viewers May 6, 2004, the night of the "Friends" finale.

Last night's special post-Super Bowl edition of "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" delivered 9.8 million viewers overall and a 3.6 rating in adults 18-49, the show's second-best results to date behind only last February's series premiere following an Olympics telecast. The 9.8 million viewers make it the most-watched post-Super Bowl late-night talk show in the history of People Meters (dating back to September 1987).

Note these preliminary "Blacklist" and "Tonight" ratings are subject to slight change with official nationals to adjust for late starts in the Boston market due to local post-game coverage.

In preliminary results for the night, NBC averaged 104.0 million viewers in primetime (7-11 p.m.) and a 35.8 rating in adults 18-49, making it NBC's most-watched night in the history of People Meters.

NBC UNIVERSO DEBUTS AND TELEVISES ITS FIRST SUPER BOWL

The newly relaunched NBC UNIVERSO (formerly mun2), which debuted yesterday, peaked at 457,000 viewers (with 368,000 average viewers throughout the telecast) for its exclusive Spanish-language telecast of Super Bowl XLIX. This marks its most-viewed program outside of soccer in the channel's history.

BOSTON AND HOST MARKET PHOENIX SET LOCAL MARKET RECORDS

The rating in Boston was the best ever for a Super Bowl in the market (61.0/85), topping the previous high of 56.7/81 for the N.Y. Giants-Patriots Super Bowl XLVI on NBC.

•The host market of Phoenix registered a 55.6/82 rating, the highest for a Super Bowl in the market, topping the prior Phoenix mark of 51.1 for Packers-Steelers in Super Bowl XLV in February 2011.

TOP 10 METERED MARKETS FOR SUPER BOWL XLIX:

1. Boston, 61.0/85

2. New Orleans, 55.7/72

3. Phoenix, 55.6/82

T4. Detroit, 55.0/71

T4. Norfolk, 55.0/76

6. Chicago, 54.9/72

7. Kansas City, 54.5/75

T8. Denver, 53.7/79

T8. Indianapolis, 53.7/74

10. Buffalo, 53.6/75

*Seattle tied for 17th with a 52.1/89

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