note: this measure is the number of people who watched at least six minutes of The Game and not the average viewership for the whole game (which did not set a record).
via press release:
RECORD 164.1 MILLION FANS TUNE IN TO SUPER
BOWL XLVII ON CBS
SUPER BOWLS RANK AS TV’S TOP 22 SHOWS ALL-TIME
The 2012 NFL season concluded with another television milestone as Super Bowl XLVII on CBS reached a total audience of 164.1 million viewers (6:32-8:41 and 9:11-10:47 PM, ET), making it the most-viewed show in U.S. television history according to The Nielsen Company.
The 49ers-Ravens championship game topped the previous record of 162.9 million total viewers for Super Bowl XLV (Packers-Steelers) and marks the fifth consecutive Super Bowl to reach a total audience of more than 150 million viewers. Super Bowls account for the 22 most-watched programs in history in terms of total audience.
Most-Watched TV Programs, Total Viewers
| Game | Total Viewers |
| Super Bowl XLVII (49ers-Ravens), 2/3/13 | 164.1 million |
| Super Bowl XLV (Packers-Steelers), 2/6/11 | 162.9 million |
| Super Bowl XLVI (Giants-Patriots), 2/5/12 | 159.2 million |
| Super Bowl XLIV (Colts-Saints), 2/7/10 | 153.4 million |
| Super Bowl XLIII (Cardinals-Steelers), 2/1/09 | 151.6 million |
Source: NFL, The Nielsen Company
In addition, an average of 108.4 million viewers watched Super Bowl XLVII – ranking third all-time.
Geez, football has such a big emphasis in America. Not just the pro league, but even high schools drool over it. I never understood why.
Could someone tell me the difference between this and the 108 million? or the record breaking 11million viewers from last year (on average. 114million for madonna) compared to the 108 million which somehow now is 164 million? I just don’t understand..
@Clare it’s avg vs total