(Newser)
–
The Patriots' final step to an undefeated regular season—Saturday's victory over the Giants—attracted an estimated 34.5 million viewers, according to the Hollywood Reporter. The tally is the largest the NFL has managed since the 1995 Chiefs-Cowboys Thanksgiving game. The millions were divided among CBS and NBC, who were granted last minute rights to air the game, and the NFL Network.
"We saw this as a good opportunity to talk to NFL fans and show them what we have to offer," said NFL Network COO Kimberly Williams, when asked about allowing two of the major networks to simulcast the game, with even more stations covering the action in the Boston and New York areas.
