The National Football League is America’s most popular sport, and the ratings show that.  Last week’s Saints versus Vikings game was a barn-burner.  I watched it, and I wasn’t the only one.  The program was the most-watched TV show since 1998, with a staggering 57.9 million viewers tuning in!  That 46 share makes the game the most-watched show since the finale of Seinfeld!  When you combine those ratings with the ratings for the earlier Colts/Jets game (which drew a mighty 46.9 million viewers, a 50 share!), you had yourself some historically significant TV ratings.  Brett Favre didn’t even have to sing “Pants on the Ground” this time, either!

The Saints/Vikings game was the most-watched NFC title game since 1982’s immortal The Catch game.  The Colts/Jets game was the most-watched AFC title game since 1986.  No matter how you spin it, that’s an impressive feat given the audience fragmentation and declining overall ratings for the broadcast networks.  This is why they spend billions of dollars every year on TV rights to these events.

Image: Boston

Tags: ratings, NFL ratings, Saints versus Vikings, Minnesota Vikings, New Orleans Saints, football game most watched show since 1998, 57.9 million viewers watched NFL playoff game, most watch TV shows

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