They are calling it the “Blizzard of 2010.” The snowstorm that dumped as much as 30 inches of beautiful, white, yet aggravating fluff onto the city streets of Greensburg and the rest of the east coast has not yet come to a halt, but surely it is slowing down.
By Tiffany Gilbert
Senior Staff Writer
They are calling it the “Blizzard of 2010.” The snowstorm that dumped as much as 30 inches of beautiful, white, yet aggravating fluff onto the city streets of Greensburg and the rest of the east coast has not yet come to a halt, but surely it is slowing down.
As Mother Nature’s fury was heaped upon the east coast, some spent their free time digging themselves out of the arctic debris while others became accustomed to the couch potato lifestyle.
Do we find it a coincidence that this blizzard that quickly accumulated in the hours of Feb. 5 and 6 became a factor of the Feb. 7, Super Bowl XLIV becoming the most watched American television program of all time? Super Bowl XLIV attracted an audience of 106.5 million viewers, barely surpassing ratings of the final episode of M*A*S*H in 1983.
Super Bowl XLIV’s championship boiled down to the remaining teams; the AFC champion Indianapolis Colts and the NFC champion New Orleans Saints. The Saints claimed a bombshell victory at Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida with a final score of 31-17.
Now, one cannot expect every viewer tuned in to the Super Bowl because they are football crazy. Each year, dozens of people announce the only reason they watch the NFL’s most popular game of the year is for the multi-million dollar commercials. A few of 2010’s most favored commercials include the Snickers ad with Betty White and Abe Vigoda, the David Letterman, Oprah, and Jay Leno skit and the Dorito commercial with the feisty boy and his mom’s new date.
Then, to throw out some more ratings in addition to America’s response to the Super Bowl, this week’s television lineup features the Olympic Games. Currently, the 2010 Winter Olympic Games are being held in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Feb.12 marked the beginning of the event with the opening ceremonies at BC Place Stadium in front of a packed venue of 60,000 people. With 2,632 athletes from around the globe and a dedication to the deceased 21 year old, Georgian luger, Nodar Kumantashvili, the opening ceremonies attracted over one billion viewers worldwide. This event had the second-most American viewers only behind the Salt Lake City games in 2002.
Whether the east coast 2010 blizzard is responsible for the rise of American television ratings, or the U.S. simply has a liking to the TV set, television networks are the ones benefitting. However, as long as our well-rounded American athletes continue with their training and success, the rest of the U.S. will be cheering for them out of our living rooms.