Puppy Bowl VII Gets Big Ratings

Not only was Sunday’s Super Bowl the most-watched television program in history, but Animal Planet’s Puppy Bowl drew an astonishing 9.2 million viewers as well. EW’s James Hibberd looks inside the numbers:

Mind you, that 9.2 million is spread across all 12 hours of Animal Planet’s Puppy Bowl VII Sunday marathon. It’s one episode repeated over and over again, not an actual 12-hour show — which would require supplying the pups with a steady dose of Adderall to maintain the necessary level of perky adorableness.

He’s clearly never owned a puppy. They’re adorable 24/7, and I’d be happy to watch a Puppy Bowl in which the puppies got tired and fell asleep.

Also the marathon started at 3 p.m.; isn’t there something kind of weird/sad about somebody watching frolicking puppies at 2:30 in the morning? [Absolutely not. - Ed.] The actual premiere airing drew 1.7 million. Those numbers are also up 60 percent from last year.

Of course, there’s no mention in there of the Kitten Halftime show. I’m sure that drew some viewers away from the Black Eyed Peas’ halftime show because of the cuteness. Better music, too.

Anyway, if you didn’t check in with the Puppy Bowl for at least a couple minutes during Super Bowl Sunday, at least do yourself the favor of checking out these pictures from the event. HNNNNNGGGH SO CUTE. My dream job is referee for the Puppy Bowl. Job, hell. I’d pay for that gig.