Football - Super Bowl XLI Watched By Millions

The Super Bowl game between Indianapolis Colts and Chicago Bears was watched by approximately 93.2 million viewers and is considered to be the second most watched Super Bowl ever.

The Super Bowl game in 1996 between Dallas and Pittsburgh was watched by an estimated 94.1 million viewers. This next most watched program is M*A*S*H series finale and Super Bowl XLI follows in the third place.

There is no doubt that Manning’s and Chicago’s popularity were the reason behind so many people watching the game. Manning is one of NFL’s most popular players while Chicago Bears are a major market team. Last year’s Super Bowl between Pittsburgh and Seattle was watched by 90.7 million viewers.

The Colts won the Super Bowl, defeating Chicago Bears 29-17 during a game that was played in a rainstorm.

According to a measuring service, the most watched moment in Super Bowl XLI was not Mannings touchdown pass, the interception and touchdown run by Kelvin Hayden or Prince singing during halftime. It was the Bud Light advertisement featuring Carlos Mencia and a language class.

However, the most popular minute of the game played was after a personal foul was committed after Indianapolis kickoff in the third quarter.

Even though Super Bowl XLI was watched by so many viewers, it did nothing to the viewership of CBS drama Criminal Minds which was shown on prime time after the game. It is estimated that Criminal Minds was watched by 26.2 million viewers. In comparison, after last year’s Super Bowl was telecasted by ABC, some 38.1 million viewers watched Grey’s Anatomy.