NFL Super Bowl 49 sets US television view record with 114 mln US viewers
Xinhua, February 3, 2015 Adjust font size:
New England's dramatic victory over Seattle in Super Bowl 49 on Sunday set a new US television viewship history record by attracting 114.4 million US viewers, telecaster NBC said Monday.
The Patriots' 28-24 triumph over the Seahawks in the National Football League's championship spectacle lured 2.2 million more viewers than the previous record holder, the telecast of last year's Super Bowl when Seattle routed Denver.
"Last night's Patriots-Seahawks Super Bowl ranks among the most exciting sporting events in US history," NBC Sports group chairman Mark Lazarus said.
The Patriots rallied from a 24-14 deficit with two fourth-quarter touchdowns and denied Seattle from the one-yard line in the dying seconds to capture the crown.
Seven of the eight most watched shows in US history are Super Bowl telecasts, with the past six NFL title games filling the top six spots ahead of the only scripted program, the 1983 final episode of the TV series M.A.S.H., which attracted a US audience of 106 million people.
Viewership peaked at 120.8 million viewers during the fourth quarter, when Super Bowl Most Valuable Player Tom Brady completed 13-for-15 passes for 124 yards and two touchdowns to rally New England to victory.
Katy Perry's half-time show was watched by 118.5 million viewers.
Viewership figures are determined by calculating the average number of people watching over the course of the entire game. Endi