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According to The USA Today, Super Bowl XLIV between the Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints and the AFC Champion Indianapolis Colts has surpassed the final episode of Mash to become the most watched television program of all-time.

The Nielson Co. has released estimates indicating that Super Bowl XLIV, which aired on Sunday night, was viewed by 106.5 million people. In direct comparison, the Mash finale was viewed by 105.97 million people.

Although the statistics are slightly skewed by the fact that television sets were not as prevalently featured in the American home when the Mash finale aired on February 28, 1983, it does not take away from the massive level of interest that Super Bowl XLIV generated. While the Super Bowl is one of the most viewed programs on television year in and year out, the game had never captivated such a widespread audience, particularly amongst casual fans, until last night.

Interest in Super Bowl XLIV was highlighted by the assortment of intriguing storylines involved with the matchup between the Saints and Colts. The Saints represented a city that had been devastated by Hurricane Katrina just five years ago and the team was symbolic of the resiliency that New Orleans displayed in wake of the tragedy. The Colts were led by 2009 league MVP Peyton Manning, who many believed would be regarded as the greatest quarterback in NFL history had he been victorious.

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