CBS can thank the 49ers for staging their second half comeback. The preliminary numbers look impressive. Full ratings and viewership estimates still to come.

Interesting to note that this overnight rating excludes the power outage. Clearly, though, many viewers continued to watch, as it still did a 46.5 rating. Who knew Steve Tasker had that many fans?

From CBS:

CBS Sports’ coverage of Super Bowl XLVII featuring the BALTIMORE RAVENS, 34-31 win over the SAN FRANCISCO 49ers on Sunday, Feb. 3 (6:30-8:45 PM and 9:15-10:45 PM, ET), earned an average overnight household rating/share of 48.1/71, the highest-rated Super Bowl in the metered markets in history (2/6/11; 47.9/71; FOX; Green Bay-Pittsburgh).

This year’s 48.1/71 is up +1% from last year’s 47.8/71 (N.Y. Giants-New England) in the metered markets. Rating excludes from 8:45-9:15 PM, ET during power outage.

The Super Bowl XLVII rating/share peaked at 52.9/75 from 10:30-10:45 PM, ET. Following is a breakdown of the ratings by half-hours.

(All times ET)

6:30-7:00 – 42.6/67

7:00-7:30 – 46.3/71

7:30-8:00 — 47.9/72

8:00-8:30 – 48.2/71

8:30-8:45 – 48.3/71

8:45-9:15 — 46.5/68

9:15-9:30 – 47.9/68

9:30-10:00 –49.6/70

10:00-10:30 –51.3/73

10:30-10:45 –52.9/75