Biggest TV audience record broken

M*A*S*H has lost its crown of being America's most-watched show ever after 27 years.

The final episode of the Korean War sitcom attracted 105.97 million viewers when it aired in 1983; but Sunday's Super Bowl in which the New Orleans Saints' Super Bowl triumphed over the Indianapolis Colts was seen by 106.5million.

When M*A*S*H took the record, there were just 83 million homes with TVs, in some ways making its achievement all the more impressive. But programmes today have to compete with hundreds of stations as well as other diversions such as the internet or video games.

M*A*S*H star Alan Alda grudgingly acknowledged the news, issuing a statement casting doubt on the figures compiled by research firm Nielsen.

'If they broke our record, I'm happy for New Orleans and I hope it gives even more to cheer about to a city I love,' he said.

'I know it sounds evil to mention, but how does Nielsen know how many actual people were watching either broadcast?'

Published: 9 Feb 2010