Su
per Bowl XLVI has become the most watched TV show in US history for the third consecutive year. American football’s annual title game set a ratings record as an average of 11.3million people watched the New York Football Giants upset Tom Brady’s New England Patriots for the second time in four years. The figure on NBC beat last season’s audience on FOX by 300,000 and the 2010 event on CBS was a long way behind on just 106.5m. That wasn’t all though. Madonna’s half-time performance ranked even higher than the game itself as it peaked with 114m viewers and was to be the star performer of the three-hour finale to the NFL season.
MIA performed alongside Madonna in the show and has caused a rumpus by using the finger during her performance. The Londoner could face a hefty fine from the FCC under the contract she signed to play the gig in the first place. This has much to do with the blame game that has gotten underway between the league and TV network. NBC said: “The NFL hired the talent and produced the half-time show,” whereas the NFL replied with: “There was a failure in NBC’s delay system. The obscene gesture in the performance was completely inappropriate, very disappointing, and we apologise.
If you’re MIA then there’s precedent for all this and you could worry a little less. The FCC had a similar case back in ’04 when Janet J got her tasseled nip out for all to see. They pursued CBS and the broadcast firm was forced to pay out a $550,000 (£348,000) fine. According to TMZ the situation is different this time due to MIA’s contract but what everyone’s forgetting is that it was only a fricking finger. Any kid watching the game at that time of day has likely seen one before and if they’re that worried then stick a delay on the show.
If nothing else it means one thing for the 2013 game…prepare yourself for Sir Cliff Richard.
