Giants-Patriots Game Makes Big Splash On TV

NEW YORK (AP) - The Giants' last-minute victory over the Patriots was the most-watched Super Bowl ever. Some 97.5 million viewers tuned in, according to Nielsen Media Research.

The game eclipsed the previous Super Bowl record of 94.08 million, set when Dallas defeated Pittsburgh in 1996. More people watched yesterday's showdown than all but one American television broadcast ever. The "MASH" finale in 1983 was seen by 106 million viewers.

Super Bowl 42 had almost all the ingredients Fox could have hoped for: a tight contest with an exciting finish involving a team that was attempting to make history as the NFL's first unbeaten club since 1972.

But the Giants ended New England's bid for perfection, 17-14 in a contest in which the two teams were never separated by more than a touchdown.