Super Bowl 44 was the most watched tv program in U.S. history. The BBC reports that the viewership of 106.5 million people eclipsed that of the Mash final in 1983.
The figure tops the 1983 finale of medical drama M*A*S*H which drew 105.97 million viewers. The previous Super Bowl record was last year's game between Pittsburgh and Arizona, watched by 98.7 million.
There had been much interest in the game between The Colts - considered the favourites after winning the title just three years ago - and The Saints who were appearing in their first NFL title game.
The Saints' resurgence had been seen as a mirror of the ongoing recovery of New Orleans after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, and the underdogs' story propelled viewership.
The Super Bowl was extra compelling because of the New Orleans Saints. Many people were hoping the Saints would pull of the upset because it would be a good thing for the city of New Orleans, which is still recovering from Hurricane Katrina.
