Saskatchewan Roughriders quarterback Darian Durant hoists the cup after beating the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the Grey Cup, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2013 in Regina.Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press
Television ratings for the 101th Grey Cup game between the Saskatchewan Roughriders and Hamilton Tiger-Cats made it the most-watched sports program of the broadcast year, and the fourth most-watched Grey Cup game on record.
Preliminary overnight data from BBM Canada found Sunday's game attracted an average audience of 4.5 million viewers on TSN.
Over all, more than 11.5 million viewers, or approximately one in three Canadians, watched some part of the game on TSN and in French on RDS.
The 101st Grey Cup saw Saskatchewan defeat Hamilton 45-23 at Mosaic Stadium in Regina.
Audience levels peaked late in the second quarter, as 5.5 million viewers watched the Roughriders take a 25-point lead.
The Grey Cup record of 6.1 million viewers was set in 2009 when the Montreal Alouettes defeated Saskatchewan 28-27. That game was played shortly after the introduction of a new ratings measurement system that has seen sports TV ratings skyrocket.
The stunt-filled performance by Canadian multi-platinum pop group Hedley during the halftime show attracted an average audience of 4.2 million viewers.
An average audience of two million viewers stayed to watch the post-game coverage.