M*A*S*H Finally Got Beat....

[The Toyroom]

In the ratings, as most watched TV show ever:

NEW YORK – 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 television history.

The Nielsen Co. estimated Monday that 106.5 million people watched the New Orleans Saints upset the Indianapolis Colts. That beats the "M-A-S-H" finale, which had 105.97 million viewers in an era when there were fewer television sets.

Compelling story lines involving the city of New Orleans and its recovery from Hurricane Katrina and the quest for a second Super Bowl ring for Indianapolis quarterback Peyton Manning propelled the viewership.

The game also obliterated the previous record viewership for a Super Bowl — last year's game between Arizona and Pittsburgh in which 98.7 million people watched.

[Hector]

I wish these reports were more specific.

It should say American television history.

World Cup worldwide ratings make the Super Bowl telecast nano-miniscule in comparison.

Having said that...the NFL is becoming very popular overseas.

[wolfie]

Why is America so obsessed with itself?

As you say that figure is dwarfed by the worldwide audience for the World Cup.

[Meule]

Besides, as the article mentions, back then there were fewer TV sets, so this new "record" is hardly worth mentioning

[Mikey]

Why is America so obsessed with itself?
.

Unlike Europe which is covered with relatively small countries in close proximity to one another the US has only 2 neighbors ... For many Americans the rest of the world (save Canada and Mexico) could be on Mars

We're hicks living in the sticks, what else do you expect ?

[jimsmegos]

My foreign friends may we never forget the golden rule of American marketing... unless we tell you... it is or isn't good enough.

[The Toyroom]

Besides, as the article mentions, back then there were fewer TV sets, so this new "record" is hardly worth mentioning

True, fewer sets back then, but there's more channels now to vie for someone's attention...

[Hector]

Unlike Europe which is covered with relatively small countries in close proximity to one another the US has only 2 neighbors ... For many Americans the rest of the world (save Canada and Mexico) could be on Mars

We're hicks living in the sticks, what else do you expect ?

[Hector]

True, fewer sets back then, but there's more channels now to vie for someone's attention...

That's also true.

[Meule]

True, fewer sets back then, but there's more channels now to vie for someone's attention...

Hmmm, also very true. But wasn't the Superbowl on back then as well? The fact that it needed this many years and this many more TV sets to "beat" the record doesn't mean much to me

[Hector]

Hmmm, also very true. But wasn't the Superbowl on back then as well? The fact that it needed this many years and this many more TV sets to "beat" the record doesn't mean much to me

I believe MLB baseball was more popular than the NFL back in those days.

[Meule]

I believe MLB baseball was more popular than the NFL back in those days.

In other words: people still had taste back then

[supes]

Let us not forget who owns the most watched television event of all time.. The King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley Aloha from Hawaii over 1.5 BILLION watched.

"Elvis remains an idol and a hero to so many of us, ... Aloha from Hawaii, which initially aired on NBC in April of 1973, ... the show was seen in over 40 countries by 1.5 billion people, a worldwide ratings smash.

[Hector]

Let us not forget who owns the most watched television event of all time.. The King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley Aloha from Hawaii over 1.5 BILLION watched.

"Elvis remains an idol and a hero to so many of us, ... Aloha from Hawaii, which initially aired on NBC in April of 1973, ... the show was seen in over 40 countries by 1.5 billion people, a worldwide ratings smash.

The funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales was watched by 2.5 billion people.

The funeral of Pope John Paul II was watched by over 2 billion people worldwide.

[The Toyroom]

I'm just amazed that it was a football game that broke the M*A*S*H record....for 23 years it's held on to it...I remember the finales to shows like Cheers and Seinfeld were originally predicted to beat it but didn't come close, despite all of the hype. I really don't think this Super Bowl was really hyped anymore than normal.