Super Bowl XLVI: Super Bowl TV viewers’ guide

Here’s our Super Bowl XLVI TV viewers’ guide, with the must-know info for tuning into the big game on Sunday:

Super Bowl XLVI

What’s XLVI in REAL numbers?: 46

When is it?: Sunday, Feb. 5, 6:20pm ET

Where is it?: Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, hosting its first Super Bowl

Who’s playing?: The AFC champion New England Patriots against the NFC champion New York Giants

How did they get there?: The Patriots (13-3) won the AFC East Division and the AFC’s No. 1 seed. They beat the Denver Broncos 45-10 in the Divisional Playoffs, then beat the Baltimore Ravens 23-20 (the Ravens missed a field goal that would have tied the game in the final seconds). The Giants (9-7) won the NFC East. In the playoffs, the Giants routed the Atlanta Falcons 24-2 in the Wild Card game. Then they ousted the NFC’s No. 1 seed and defending Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers 37-20. In the NFC Championship Game, the Giants took the San Francisco 49ers into overtime and came out with a 20-17 victory thanks to a key 49ers fumble on a punt return in their own territory.

What are the big stories?: This is a rematch of Super Bowl XLII in 2008, in which the Giants upset the Patriots 17-14 and ended the Patriots’ perfect season (though there has been significant roster turnover on both teams since then). The Giants and Patriots also met earlier this season, with the Giants winning 24-20 in Week 9. Patriots head coach Bill Belichick and quarterback Tom Brady are playing for their fourth Super Bowl championship together (previous wins were in Super Bowls XXXVI in 2002, XXXVIII in 2004 and XXXIX in 2005). With the Super Bowl in Indianapolis, there’s been much speculation about the future of Colts’ quarterback Peyton Manning, brother of Giants’ quarterback Eli Manning, and whether or not he’ll return to the Colts — or play at all — after he was sidelined for the season with a neck injury. The Patriots are also watching the health of tight end Rob Gronkowski, who suffered a high ankle sprain in the AFC Championship Game.

Who’s the favorite?: New England is favored by 3 points, though gamblers like betting on New York to upset.

You mean there’s gambling involved?: Yes, you can bet on just about anything to do with this game.

What TV channel is it on?: NBC

Who are the announcers?: NBC’s Sunday Night Football announcing team of Al Michaels (play-by-play), Cris Collinsworth (analyst) and Michele Tafoya (sideline reporter)

What’s on the pregame show?: NBC has six hours of pregame coverage, including analysis, features on players, interviews with Madonna and President Barack Obama, and NFL Films’ Road to the Super Bowl special. There lots of other Super Bowl week coverage on NFL Network, ESPN and other NBCUniversal networks, too.

Who’s singing the national anthem?: Kelly Clarkson

Who’s performing at halftime?: Madonna

Are there going to be commercials again this year?: Why, yes. Some may even be for brands of beer.

How much does a commercial cost this year?: An average of $3.5 million for a 30-second spot

How many people are going to watch?: 111 million Americans watched Super Bowl XLV last year

Is the Super Bowl party I’m attending BYOB?: You bet.

This game stinks. Is there anything else on TV?: Lots of alternate shows, specials and marathons for those who aren’t into the game.

 

About Ryan Berenz 2166 Articles
Member of the Television Critics Association. Charter member of the Ancient and Mystic Society of No Homers. Squire of the Ancient & Benevolent Order of the Lynx, Lodge 49, Long Beach, Calif. Costco Wholesale Gold Star Member since 2011.