Short on big markets and big stars, Super Bowl XLIII still put up the biggest numbers in Super Bowl history.
The Steelers’ win over the Cardinals on Sunday drew a 42.0 final rating and 98.7 million viewers on NBC, down 3% in ratings but up 2% in viewership from a 43.1 and 97.5 million for Super Bowl XLII between the Giants and Patriots.
The 98.7 million viewers makes Super Bowl XLIII the most viewed Super Bowl in history. The previous record holder was last year’s game.
Earlier, multiple reports had Super Bowl XLIII drawing 95.4 million viewers, which would have been the second-most ever.
In addition to being the most viewed Super Bowl in history, Super Bowl XLIII also finishes as the second-most watched television program in U.S. history, behind only the series finale of M*A*S*H in 1983, which drew 106 million viewers.
Most viewed Super Bowls.
98.7 mil: XLIII, Steelers/Cardinals (Sun., 2/1/09 NBC)
97.5 mil: XLII, Giants/Patriots (Sun., 2/3/08 FOX)
94.1 mil: XXX, Cowboys/Steelers (Sun., 1/28/96 NBC)
93.2 mil: XLI, Colts/Bears (Sun., 2/4/07 CBS)
92.6 mil: XX, Bears/Patriots (Sun., 1/26/86 NBC)
