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.