Super Bowl XLV most-watched TV program ever

Read more at: MarketWatch

Sunday evening’s telecast of Super Bowl XLV on Fox was the most watched program in television history, according to preliminary results from the Nielsen Co., breaking the record set by last year’s game.

The thrilling 31-25 victory for the Green Bay Packers over the Pittsburgh Steelers was seen by an average audience of 111 million viewers, breaking the record of 106.5 million set by Super Bowl XLIV, broadcast on CBS (CBS 20.94, +0.11, +0.53%) . In that contest, the New Orleans Saints defeated the Indianapolis Colts 31-17.

More than 53 million households watched this year’s Super Bowl, for a preliminary rating of 46, Nielsen said.

The game was in doubt until less than two minutes remained.