Super Bowl draws record audience with average of 111 million viewers

(CNS) – Fox Broadcasting’s coverage of Super Bowl XLV was the most-watched program in American television history, averaging 111 million viewers, topping the previous record of 106.5 million for last year’s game.

A record 162.9 million viewers watched at least six minutes of the Green Bay Packers’ 31-25 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, according to preliminary figures released today by The Nielsen Co.

The previous record was 153.4 million for last year’s game between the New Orleans Saints and Indianapolis Colts, which aired on CBS.

This is the fourth consecutive year for a record average viewership for a Super Bowl game.

The 2009 game on NBC between the Arizona Cardinals and Steelers averaged 98.73 million viewers, while the 2008 game between the New England Patriots and New York Giants on Fox averaged 97.45 million.