Are more people watching for the commercials instead of the game?
The Baltimore Ravens and San Francisco 49ers are set to battle it out in New Orleans in Sunday’s Super Bowl. But a recent survey says more of you are interested in the ads than the actual game.
The numbers are telling. Thirty-nine percent indicated they are looking forward to the commercials while 28 percent of those surveyed they were more interested in the game. The numbers don’t surprise Syracuse University’s Bob Thompson.
“This survey may confirm that with actual numbers, but I think it’s something we’ve heard people say for a long time,” Thompson told KTRH.
The commercials this year will cost advertisers nearly four million dollars for a thirty second ad. Thompson says the number isn’t as outrageous as you might think, considering they will appear online as well as on your television.
“It is likely that the commercials will get all kinds of distribution, which the advertisers are getting for free,” Thompson said.
Some of the commercials are already causing some controversy. A Coca-Cola spot has some in the Arab American community crying racism.
There are commercials that are being touted as too risqué as well. Mercedes will be running an ad with Willem Dafoe and Kate Upton. It’s a good bet more people will be talking about Upton’s appearance than Dafoe’s.
The entertainment should have people talking as well. Houston’s own Beyonce will perform the halftime show, and she says she’ll be doing it all live, as opposed to her performance at last week’s inauguration.
Alicia Keys will sing the national anthem. And it’s a good bet that there won’t be a dry eye in the house when the Sandy Hook Elementary School Chorus sings “America the Beautiful” with Jennifer Hudson.
And then there’s the game, which will get underway at about 5:30 Sunday night.
The Ravens and 49ers have spent the last two weeks getting ready. That means they’ve spent the last two weeks dealing with all the hype that has come with the game.
This will be the first time that two brothers will coach against each other as head coaches in the Super Bowl. John Harbaugh leads the Ravens while younger brother Jim leads the 49ers.
Sunday’s game is also the last one in the Hall of Fame career of Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis, who is hanging it up after seventeen seasons to pursue a career in television.
And then there is the storyline featuring San Francisco quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who started the season as Alex Smith’s backup, replaced him when Smith suffered a concussion mid-season and never looked back.
So who will win?
“I know people will say Kaepernick is too young, but this guy is truly one of the most exciting players in the NFL,” said Greg Koch of Sports Talk 790. “Not only does he have a gun for an arm, but he can extend the play by running the football. I think the Ravens will have a tough time with that. If I have to go with anybody, I’m going with the 49ers.”
