3.5 million UK Super Bowl viewers

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/02/08/london-game-may-be-casualty-of-labor-situation/

In a story about how the NFL labor situation may mean there won't be a London NFL game in 2011, I found this interesting note:

The NFL thinks it’s making some headway in the United Kingdom: Games at Wembley have sold out, and the final numbers are expected to show that the U.K. ratings for this year’s Super Bowl will top last year’s, when a record 3.5 million people in the United Kingdom watched the game.

I was surprised that 3.5 million people in the UK watched the Super Bowl last year.  I would've expected it to be considerably lower.

I watched it this year, but only because I was raised a Packer fan.  Generally, I'd rather not see American football catch on in the UK. 

Generally, I'd rather not see American football catch on in the UK. 

Party pooper.   

Even as a fan, I dispute figures of 3.5m for a game that didn't start until 11:30 on a Sunday night.
OK it's on the BBC as well as Sky but even so, that doesn't sound likely.

I wonder if they were able to count the number of people who Tivo'd it?

I was talking to my SIL about it, and asked if her partner had watched, as he's a real sports nut.  She said he didn't follow it, but that a lot of her friends had had SuperBowl parties and things.  Any excuse to binge drink, maybe?

Even as a fan, I dispute figures of 3.5m for a game that didn't start until 11:30 on a Sunday night.
OK it's on the BBC as well as Sky but even so, that doesn't sound likely.

I was talking with my Vicar on Monday and she told me she stayed up to watch it!  That really surprised me, so perhaps there is a broad enough interest for those numbers to stand up.

I will be honest...I DVR'ed it for the commercials but then I found them on-line the next day ;-)

I think it's great that Brits are becoming more interested in American football! My BIL has Sky Sports and he's determined to learn the rules since they're showing the games on TV. If you know the rules and understand the plays it does make it more fun to watch.