106.5 million watched Super Bowl

MIAMI, Feb. 8 (UPI) -- An estimated average of 106.5 million viewers tuned in to see CBS Sports's coverage of Super Bowl XLIV, the U.S. network said Monday.

Sunday's game between the New Orleans Saints and the Indianapolis Colts set a record for most-watched U.S. program, breaking that of the 1983 finale of the classic sit-com "M*A*S*H," which was watched by 106 million, the network said.

The Saints beat the Colts 31-17.

"With all the memorable story lines going into Super Bowl XLIV combined with the awesome power of the NFL, we are thrilled with this rating, and I am extremely proud of the way the entire CBS Television Network produced, sold and promoted the most-watched television show in history," Sean McManus, president of CBS News and Sports, said in a statement.