M*A*S*H Finale No Longer Most-Watched TV Show in History - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 02-08-2010, 10:21 PM

A long-standing television record was rewritten last night, as CBS’s broadcast of Super Bowl XLIV became the most-watched TV program in history.

Nielsen says 106.5 million TV viewers watched the New Orleans Saints defeat the Indianapolis Colts, according to reports by the Associated Press. That surpasses the 105.97 million who watched the series finale of M*A*S*H on Feb. 28, 1983, which was also aired on CBS.

The previous record viewership for a Super Bowl was set just last year, when 98.7 million people watched the Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Arizona Cardinals.

While Drew Brees and Peyton Manning certainly attracted plenty of attention on Sunday night, Hawkeye and Klinger can be comfortable knowing their mark was made in an era with fewer TV sets and a smaller population. –Tim Nudd

http://tvwatch.people.com/2010/02/08...tched-tv-show/

Marvo301 · 02-08-2010, 11:00 PM

The cast of M*A*S*H can also take comfort in knowing that their finale is still the most watched scripted TV program of all time.

TJL · 02-09-2010, 01:33 AM

LuLu Rogers · 02-09-2010, 02:45 AM

No, No, No, just No.

It's a sad day for humanity when football out ranks intelligent TV

Schmoopie · 02-09-2010, 05:07 AM

Wow, I knew that the Superbowl would get high ratings but I never expected this!

catlover79 · 02-09-2010, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schmoopie

Wow, I knew that the Superbowl would get high ratings but I never expected this!

Ditto!!

Dog Tags · 02-09-2010, 12:32 PM

We should keep in mind, the population of the U.S.A. has increased by a healthy number since G.F.A. was aired. This does not take into account illegal Mexicans of course.

treky · 02-10-2010, 03:31 AM

also remember, there's a lot more channels now than in 1983.

TJL · 02-10-2010, 08:27 AM

Considering how people watch TV in this day and age (Tivo & DVR) a live broadcast of a something is pretty much the only way you're going to get that many people to watch a program at the same time anymore.

As Marvo pointed out, the M*A*S*H finale is still the most watched scripted show of all time, and i doubt any other show will beat that.

catlover79 · 02-10-2010, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TJL

Considering how people watch TV in this day and age (Tivo & DVR) a live broadcast of a something is pretty much the only way you're going to get that many people to watch a program at the same time anymore.

As Marvo pointed out, the M*A*S*H finale is still the most watched scripted show of all time, and i doubt any other show will beat that.

Exactly!!

Madame X · 02-10-2010, 02:33 PM

How do they know how many "viewers" watched either show? Aren't they just counting the number of TV sets tuned to those stations?

Chocoholic · 02-10-2010, 03:30 PM

I agree with Marv and I also think the fact that it took almost 30 years to break this record is impressive.

James28 · 02-15-2010, 05:05 PM

A news report said that "Super Bowl XLIV beat out the Season finale of M*A*S*H". Why do some sources say "Season" finale instead of "Series" finale? Those sources don't know what a series finale is, they need to get in right.

Yong Fang · 03-12-2010, 02:31 AM

The most watched television event of all time was the opening ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Olympics. In China alone, probably upwars to 1 billion people saw the primetime telecast. Ask any Chinese person where they were that night and they could tell you. I remember the streets of the city completely empty an hour before the start.

Probably 10 times the number of people Worldwide saw that program over The Super Bowl.

OH Nuts! · 03-12-2010, 05:10 PM

well I vote it the MOST FUN show! (imho its hard to top M*A*S*H here!)

02-08-2010, 10:21 PM	#1
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	*MASH Finale No Longer Most-Watched TV Show in History** A long-standing television record was rewritten last night, as CBS’s broadcast of Super Bowl XLIV became the most-watched TV program in history. Nielsen says 106.5 million TV viewers watched the New Orleans Saints defeat the Indianapolis Colts, according to reports by the Associated Press. That surpasses the 105.97 million who watched the series finale of MAS*H on Feb. 28, 1983, which was also aired on CBS. The previous record viewership for a Super Bowl was set just last year, when 98.7 million people watched the Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Arizona Cardinals. While Drew Brees and Peyton Manning certainly attracted plenty of attention on Sunday night, Hawkeye and Klinger can be comfortable knowing their mark was made in an era with fewer TV sets and a smaller population. –Tim Nudd http://tvwatch.people.com/2010/02/08...tched-tv-show/
	__________________ The Key to the Kingdom of Heaven: John 3:3 *Money Doesn't Buy Happiness...But I'd Rather Cry in My Private Jet*

02-08-2010, 11:00 PM	#2
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,456	The cast of MAS*H can also take comfort in knowing that their finale is still the most watched scripted TV program of all time.
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02-09-2010, 01:33 AM	#3
TJL Suburbanite Extrordinaire Forum Star Join Date: Dec 29, 2001 Location: New Jersey - the cradle of civilization Posts: 16,588
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02-09-2010, 02:45 AM	#4
LuLu Rogers Colonel Brandon Forum Fanatic Join Date: Mar 23, 2004 Location: The Hogwarts Dungeons Posts: 11,013	No, No, No, just No. It's a sad day for humanity when football out ranks intelligent TV
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02-09-2010, 05:07 AM	#5
Schmoopie Keep Calm and Love Snoopy Forum Star Join Date: Jul 13, 2008 Location: Lynnwood, Washington Posts: 15,697	Wow, I knew that the Superbowl would get high ratings but I never expected this!
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02-09-2010, 12:32 PM	#7
Dog Tags Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Feb 26, 2009 Location: New York State ( of mind ) Posts: 130	another consideration We should keep in mind, the population of the U.S.A. has increased by a healthy number since G.F.A. was aired. This does not take into account illegal Mexicans of course.
	__________________ Ten Hut !!!

02-10-2010, 03:31 AM	#8
treky star trek fan Eternal Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Feb 25, 2002 Location: Conshohocken, pennsylvania Posts: 14,490	also remember, there's a lot more channels now than in 1983.
	__________________ the Clampetts are in a fancy Beverly Hills jewelry store. Granny points to a tray of rubies. Granny: "How much fer one o' them red diamonds?" clerk: "Madam, those are rubies." Granny: "OK ask her kin we buy one offa her." clerk: " The ruby I am talking about is not a lady." Granny: "Lissen, how she got them diamonds is her business. I'm just sayin' ask her kin we buy one from her."

02-10-2010, 08:27 AM	#9
TJL Suburbanite Extrordinaire Forum Star Join Date: Dec 29, 2001 Location: New Jersey - the cradle of civilization Posts: 16,588	Considering how people watch TV in this day and age (Tivo & DVR) a live broadcast of a something is pretty much the only way you're going to get that many people to watch a program at the same time anymore. As Marvo pointed out, the MASH finale is still the most watched scripted* show of all time, and i doubt any other show will beat that.

02-10-2010, 02:33 PM	#11
Madame X Member Senior Member Join Date: Sep 15, 2006 Location: Oregon Posts: 1,831	How do they know how many "viewers" watched either show? Aren't they just counting the number of TV sets tuned to those stations?

02-10-2010, 03:30 PM	#12
Chocoholic Member Forum Star Join Date: Dec 01, 2000 Location: Between a rock and a hard place. Posts: 11,235	I agree with Marv and I also think the fact that it took almost 30 years to break this record is impressive.

02-15-2010, 05:05 PM	#13
James28 Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 14, 2007 Posts: 3,981	A news report said that "Super Bowl XLIV beat out the Season finale of MAS*H". Why do some sources say "Season" finale instead of "Series" finale? Those sources don't know what a series finale is, they need to get in right.

03-12-2010, 02:31 AM	#14
Yong Fang Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 04, 2009 Location: Memphis Tennessee Posts: 3,073	The most watched television event of all time was the opening ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Olympics. In China alone, probably upwars to 1 billion people saw the primetime telecast. Ask any Chinese person where they were that night and they could tell you. I remember the streets of the city completely empty an hour before the start. Probably 10 times the number of people Worldwide saw that program over The Super Bowl.

03-12-2010, 05:10 PM	#15
OH Nuts! Member Forum King Join Date: Feb 15, 2005 Posts: 133,383	well I vote it the MOST FUN show! (imho its hard to top MAS*H here!)