Nielson reports that the Giants win in Super Bowl XLII was the highest rated Super Bowl ever, with 97.5 million viewers. The year in sports overall was record setting, with the following events breaking records as well:

• The most-watched global event ever (2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, 4.7 billion)
• The most-watched cable broadcast of all time (Cowboys-Eagles, Monday Night Football 18.6 million)
• The most-watched cable golf event of all time (Tiger vs. Rocco, U.S. Open Playoff, 4.8 million)
• The most-watched cable baseball game ever (Red Sox-Rays, ALCS Game 7, 13.4 million)
• The most-watched NBA Finals in five years (Celtics-Lakers, NBA Championship Series, avg. 14.9 million)
• The most-watched NHL regular season game in nine years and finals in five years (Winter Classic 2.5 million; Stanley Cup Penguins –Red Wings avg. 4.5 million)
• The most-watched Wimbledon Final in eight years (Federer-Nadal, 5.2 million)

Nielson cites the reason for this surge in viewership include a rise in Internet and mobile content, HD technology, as well as compelling match-ups and storylines within the sports universe.

For more details, including a link to a copy of Nielsen’s 2008 Year in Sports report, check out the Nielsen Wire.