HOUSTON, Feb. 3 (UPI) -- Sunday's broadcast of Super Bowl XXXVIII has ranked among the highest-rated in the game's history, even without the sizzling halftime show.
An estimated 89.6 million viewers watched the New England Patriots beat the Carolina Panthers 32-29, according to Nielsen Media Research, making the game the most-watched since the 1998 Green Bay-Denver Super Bowl drew 90 million viewers.
More than 143.6 million people watched at least part of the Super Bowl, which is the highest-ever number for a program that typically ranks in the top 10 of the most-watched shows each year.
Ratings aside, this year's Super Bowl likely will go down as one of the most memorable due to its halftime show. During a dance performance, Justin Timberlake momentarily exposed Janet Jackson's breast, which, Timberlake later claimed was due to a "wardrobe malfunction." Jackson has since admitted the stunt was planned but went further than intended.
