Super Bowl XLVI TV Ratings: More Than 100 Million People Watched

The early television ratings for Super Bowl XLVI are in the New England Patriots and New York Giants contest had over 100 million viewers on Sunday.

(FNN Media) — The early television ratings for Super Bowl XLVI are in and not surprisingly the New England Patriots and New York Giants contest had over 100 million viewers on Sunday.

The game did a 47.8 rating with a 71 share according to Nielsen Media Research.

The number fell one-tenth of a point shy of tying the all-time record of 47.9 that was set by the Green Bay Packers victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers last year and the New York Giants win over the Denver Broncos in 1987.

In local markets, Patriots fans had the larger audience.  The game did a 56.7/81 in Boston.  New York fans still watched in mass.  The game did a 49.7/74 in the Big Apple.

As for Indianapolis?  Tough for the host city’s fans to get a ticket. So, they tuned in like the rest of us.  The city did a 56.4/79 — second highest host city ratings of all-time.

Follow me on Twitter: @FNNChuck

Chuck Carroll

About Chuck Carroll

Chuck Carroll is in his third season covering the Redskins. He co-hosts 4th & Pain with defensive end Adam Carriker and also works for CBS Radio in Washington, D.C. He is a member of the Pro Football Writers of America.