Super Bowl rolls up big numbers viewers, parties

http://www.usatoday.com:80/usatonline/20001211/2904946s.htm

The Super Bowl is the biggest TV event of the year, drawing more than 130 million TV viewers in the USA. Around the world, 800 million consumers in 182 countries watch the game. Nine of the 10 most watched TV programs of all time are Super Bowls.

More than 35 million women watched Super Bowl XXXIV compared with 27 million for the 2000 Academy Awards. Women make up 46% of viewership. The game is watched most by consumers 35 to 44 years old.

The Super Bowl is the top at-home party event of the year, surpassing New Year’s Eve.

Super Sunday is the second-biggest day of food consumption behind only Thanksgiving. Fans scarf down an estimated 14,500 tons of chips and 4,000 tons of popcorn. Consumers spend $50 million annually stocking up for Super Bowl weekend.

The average number of people attending a Super Bowl party is 17; 95% of viewers watch with at least one other person.

Super Bowl weekend is the slowest of the year for weddings.

Sales of big-screen TVs increase fivefold during Super Bowl week.

6% of Americans call in sick to work the day after.

Sales of antacids rise 20% on the day after.

Source: National Football League