TV Top Ten - Superbowl Shatters Dreams and Records

The behemoth of all television events, the one thing that brings more Americans together than American Idol (and no, it has nothing to do with President Obama) stormed the airwaves last week, breaking records and marking the end of an era...maybe.

98.7 million people tuned in to watch a tragic last second defeat of popular underdog Phoenix Cardinals. Superbowl XLIII handily topped last year's record breaking 97.4 million viewers. It was also the last time the Superbowl will ever be broadcast in an analog signal, at least if Congress can muster the huevos to finally cut off anyone too lazy to get satellite, cable or a free digital converter box.

This week the government pushed the digital transition deadline date back, allowing slackers who still haven't gotten with the program more time to dally. For the rest of us we're stuck watching those stupid scrolling warnings and PSAs for another four months.

For the first time in a long time The Office made its way into the top ten thanks to its choice spot behind the Superbowl. It still fell far short of all three American Idol showings, but the comedy will have to take what it can get. It held on to 22 million of the Superbowl's leftovers, a personal best.

In the cable realm USA dominated with Burn Notice, Monk and a flurry of NCIS reruns, but it still missed the number one spot. TNT's The Closer climbed to take top honors with a respectable 6.2 million viewers.

RANK PROGRAM NTWK RATING VIEWERS

NETWORK TELEVISION

1. SUPER BOWL XLIII(S) NBC 42 98.732

2. SUPER BOWL POST(S) NBC 25.7 57.399

3. AMERICAN IDOL-WEDNESDAY FOX 15 27.364

4. AMERICAN IDOL-TUESDAY FOX 13.7 25.539

5. AMERICAN IDOL THU SP-1/29(S) FOX 13.6 24.613

6. CSI CBS 12 20.153

7. NCIS CBS 11.6 19.202

7. OFFICE 2/1(S) NBC 11.6 22.905

9. MENTALIST, THE CBS 9.6 15.226

10. HOUSE FOX 9.3 15.692

CABLE TELEVISION

1. CLOSER, THE TNT 4 6.243

2. BURN NOTICE USA 3.4 5.376

3. MONK USA 3.3 5.393

4. WWE ENTERTAINMENT (WWE RAW) USA 3.2 5.31

5. WWE ENTERTAINMENT (WWE RAW) USA 3 5.028

6. NCIS USA 2.9 4.196

7. NCIS USA 2.8 4.285

7. NCIS USA 2.8 4.159

7. NCIS USA 2.8 4.2

7. SPONGEBOB NICK 2.8 4.432