Super Bowl becomes most watched TV event in history

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 today that 106.5 million people watched the New Orleans Saints beat 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 and the US population was about 75 million less than it was now.

The weather played a big part in this record. 56% of all homes in Washington DC were watching the game while they were housebound in the midst of a blizzard. Only New Orleans itself had a higher viewership at 56.6%. Indianapolis was 3rd with 54%.

The snowstorm prevented Super Bowl parties in the affected areas, which enhanced the number of sets tuned to game.

Last years game between the Arizona Cardinals and Pittsburgh Steelers drew 98.7 million viewers.