Super Bowl XLIX Was Most-Watched Show In U.S. Television History

Super Bowl XLIX Was Most-Watched Show In U.S. Television History
New England Patriots defensive end Chandler Jones (95) celebrates after the Patriots beat the Seattle Seahawks in the NFL Super Bowl XLIX football game Sunday, Feb. 1, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots defensive end Chandler Jones (95) celebrates after the Patriots beat the Seattle Seahawks in the NFL Super Bowl XLIX football game Sunday, Feb. 1, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)

Super Bowl XLIX just made history.

Sunday's nail-biting game was the most-watched show in U.S. television history, according to the latest Nielsen data. The New England Patriots’ 28-24 victory over the Seattle Seahawks was also the highest-rated Super Bowl in the last 30 seasons. The game brought in 114.4 million viewers between 6:31 p.m. ET and 10:10 p.m. ET, 2.2 million viewers more than last year’s Super Bowl on Fox.

Katy Perry's halftime show was also the most-watched performance in recorded Super Bowl history, averaging 118.5 million viewers. That's some 3 million more than last year's Bruno Mars show, NBC Sports said.

Initial overnight ratings for the game were also historic -- 49.7/72 -- the highest in Super Bowl history.

Until now, last year's matchup between the Denver Broncos and the Seahawks was the most-watched Super Bowl in the game's history. For comparison, the 2013 game between the Baltimore Ravens and the San Francisco 49ers only brought in 108.7 million viewers.

Check out the list below for a breakdown of most-watched TV programs in U.S. history, via NBC Sports.

1. 114.4 Million – Super Bowl XLIX, NBC (February 2015)
2. 112.2 Million – Super Bowl XLVIII, FOX (February 2014)
3. 111.3 Million – Super Bowl XLVI, NBC (February 2012)
4. 111.0 Million – Super Bowl XLV, FOX (February 2011)
5. 108.7 Million – Super Bowl XLVII, CBS (February 2013)
6. 106.5 Million – Super Bowl XLIV, CBS (February 2010)
7. 106.0 Million – M.A.S.H. Finale, CBS (February 1983)
8. 98.7 Million – Super Bowl XLIII, NBC (February 2009)

(Data is for Super Bowls and includes full game telecasts only.)

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