NFL expects big Super Bowl audience

The NFL expects a record worldwide audience to watch or listen to Super Bowl XLIII between Pittsburgh and Arizona Sunday at Tampa’s Raymond James Stadium.

Earlier this week, the league had a total of 61 international broadcasters lined up to air its biggest annual showcase.

That list included, for the first time, Network Ten in Australia, RAI in Italy, and BBC ONE in England.

The league reported that its world feed with the NFL Network announcers Bob Papa and Sterling Sharpe will be heard in 141 countries.

(The) Super Bowl is an iconic event and is renowned for its mix of exciting sport and great entertainment, said BBC ONE producer Ron Chakraborty. We expect many people to be sitting through the night to watch our broadcast.

Also included are NTV, NHK and Gaora in Japan.

A total of 230 countries and territories in 34 languages, including English, will televise Sunday night’s contest.