Super Bowl XLIV > MASH Finale

[arniejolt]

The Great MASH Series Finale Has Fallen...

Sunday's Super Bowl was the most-watched program in TV history.

An estimated 106.5 million viewers tuned in to CBS to watch the New Orleans Saints' nail-bitting 31-17 win over the Indianapolis Colts, according to Nielsen.

That tops the previous record of 105.97 million for the 1983 finale of "M*A*S*H," which until Sunday stood as the most-watched program of any kind.

"With all the memorable story lines going into Super Bowl XLIV combined with the awesome power of the NFL, we are thrilled with this rating, and I am extremely proud of the way the entire CBS Television Network produced, sold and promoted the most-watched television show in history," Sean McManus, President, CBS News and Sports said in a statement.

The audience for Sunday's game was up 8% from last year's Pittsburgh-Arizona game, which was watched by 98.7 million viewers.

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv/2010/02/08/2010-02-08_super_bowl_ratings_preliminary_numbers_show_hig hest_viewership_in_20plus_years.html#ixzz0ezOcLWYR

[Mega-Tallica]

How in the hell did MASH's record last so long?

[tridentgum0]

Super Bowl XLV will be even better since the Browns will be there.

[sonicnerd23]

Seriously? What makes this Super Bowl more special than any other Super Bowl? Other than the Who, I mean.

[Baanu_Rass]

How many Americans were there in 1983? Certainly less than 300 million.

[Jixzer]

Seriously? What makes this Super Bowl more special than any other Super Bowl? Other than the Who, I mean.

The Saints. First Superbowl appearance in franchise history (43 years) rekindling the Katrina Hurricane disaster and New Orleans rebuild.

Totally a guess though. :)

[tridentgum0]

It was totally to laugh their asses off at Phil Simms' clueless commentary.

Simms: "NAWLINS, DO NOT BLITZ MANNING"

Nantz: "They're blitzing!"

Porter: "I'ma take this ball"

[oogabooha]

Crap, M*A*S*H is too awesome.

[hmxhenry]

How in the hell did MASH's record last so long?

Oh you know, the fact that it was the series finale to one of the most important television shows of all time.

While the Super Bowl had more total viewers, I still think it's impressive to look at the fact that MASH still captured a significantly larger percentage of households (60.2% to the Super Bowl's 46.4%) and had a higher share (77% to 68%). That means that 77% of all the television sets in America were tuned to the final episode of MASH. That's pretty wild.

[Mega-Tallica]

Oh you know, the fact that it was the series finale to one of the most important television shows of all time.

While the Super Bowl had more total viewers, I still think it's impressive to look at the fact that MASH still captured a significantly larger percentage of households (60.2% to the Super Bowl's 46.4%) and had a higher share (77% to 68%). That means that 77% of all the television sets in America were tuned to the final episode of MASH. That's pretty wild.

I guess MASH was before my time...

In fact, it was:p

[Baanu_Rass]

I guess MASH was before my time...

In fact, it was:p

You'd have to be something like 30 to remember the finale. I'd wager it was before most people here.

[CCDaDon]

I was born in 1992... I will not EVER doubt the importance of M*A*S*H

[hawkofva]

That it took a major live sporting event to topple the number (not factoring in the percentages pointed out by Henry) is a testament to how incredible M*A*S*H was.

[Jixzer]

You'd have to be something like 30 to remember the finale. I'd wager it was before most people here.

37....guilty.

I watched it when it aired. I was a part of both records. :)

[Apples]

In 1983 there was also no satelite dish, and no endless swath of cable channels. I still remember growing up when cable TV was uncommon. Meaning TV was nothing but network TV--ABC, NBC, CBS, and nothing else.

In short, the TV market was not as fragmented and diversified as it is today. Much easier to capture huge rating pools when your audience only has a few options. :)

[DethTung]

In 1983 there was also no satelite dish, and no endless swath of cable channels. I still remember growing up when cable TV was uncommon. Meaning TV was nothing but network TV--ABC, NBC, CBS, and nothing else.

In short, the TV market was not as fragmented and diversified as it is today. Much easier to capture huge rating pools when your audience only has a few options. :)

Well, actually, you forgot PBS.

[Apples]

Well, actually, you forgot PBS.

With good reason!

[a21schizoidman]

It was totally to laugh their asses off at Phil Simms' clueless commentary.

Simms: "NAWLINS, DO NOT BLITZ MANNING"

Nantz: "They're blitzing!"

Porter: "I'ma take this ball"
:D

that's the best post you've ever made

[IIISZABOIII]

I could be way off on this, but I have a feeling that the snow played a big part in these numbers. So much snow not allowing people to go out and do what they would normally be doing on a Sunday. Anyone who was even slightly interested in the game tuned in, which on a normal day would not have seing as they may have not had much else to do. Ok, sure there are umpteen 100 other channels to watch, but the bowl is also a great time killer.

[CJHobbes]

I could be way off on this, but I have a feeling that the snow played a big part in these numbers. So much snow not allowing people to go out and do what they would normally be doing on a Sunday. Anyone who was even slightly interested in the game tuned in, which on a normal day would not have seing as they may have not had much else to do. Ok, sure there are umpteen 100 other channels to watch, but the bowl is also a great time killer.

I think there were a few articles that mentioned this as well. People on the east coast who would normally go to the bar, a friend's house, or not watch at all were stuck at home because of the storms.

As far as why this Super Bowl compared to others, I'd guess as Jixzer did:

1 - New Orleans' first trip ever to a Super Bowl.
2 - NO and Katrina
3 - Arguably one of the best QBs in the past decade trying to win his 2nd ring and commanding a team that beat everyone when they tried
4 - Archie's former team playing his son's current team
5 - A rare Super Bowl where the teams with the two best records in the league actually played each other; at least, I don't remember this happening in recent years
6 - Two teams with two great QBs that play "exciting" football, pretty much throwing all over the field

If Minnesota hadn't lost in such a fashion, I'm sure the SB could have pulled in another 300k fans. :p

[tridentgum0]

:D

that's the best post you've ever made

It's not like it had any form of competition, did it?

[Starfleet_Rambo]

Oh you know, the fact that it was the series finale to one of the most important television shows of all time.

While the Super Bowl had more total viewers, I still think it's impressive to look at the fact that MASH still captured a significantly larger percentage of households (60.2% to the Super Bowl's 46.4%) and had a higher share (77% to 68%). That means that 77% of all the television sets in America were tuned to the final episode of MASH. That's pretty wild.

Yeah, cause there was a whole lot of TV channels/shows, and plethora of entertainment choices then compared to now. :rolleyes:

Old man.

or what apples said...

[Perfxion]

In 1983 there might have been a total of 20 channels if someone had cable, much of the country did not. VCRs were out but really expensive. Only other at home electronic entertainment were radios and record players. Maybe PONG as well. 77% of all TVs watching one program out what most had 3 isn't that big of a surprise.

In 2010, there might be up to 550 channels, DVRs, Internet, video game systems, DVD collections of large standards, plus CDs in the hundreds just in most people's houses. If someone stuck at home did not want to watch football, there are much more options. Basic "free TV" has doubled since then. 68% of 200(guessing average) is really impressive.