NEWSMAKERS

NEWSMAKERS

Overtime games boost NFL ratings

NEW YORK

There’s nothing like two overtime games in the NFL conference championships to keep television viewers glued to their recliners.

The New England Patriots’ thrilling victory over the Kansas City Chiefs was seen by 53.92 million viewers Sunday, the Nielsen company said. That’s up 22 percent from the Patriots’ victory over Jacksonville last year, and the most watched AFC championship since 2011.

Sunday’s afternoon game, where the Los Angeles Rams beat the New Orleans Saints with the help of a referee’s bad call, was seen by 44.2 million people, Nielsen said. That’s up 4 percent over last year’s contest between Philadelphia and Minnesota.

Frigid temperatures throughout most of the country in the middle of a holiday weekend no doubt helped television attendance.

The NFL says ratings for all of its playoff games are up 12 percent over last year’s postseason. There’s a strong chance Sunday night’s game will be the year’s second-most-watched television event, after the Super Bowl in two weeks.

For the week of Jan. 14-20, the top 10 shows, their networks and viewerships: AFC Championship: New England vs. Kansas City, CBS, 53.92 million; “AFC Championship Post Game,” CBS, 24.34 million; “The Big Bang Theory,” CBS, 13.33 million; “NCIS,” CBS, 12.22 million; “Young Sheldon,” CBS, 11.46 million; “AGT Champions,” NBC, 9.99 million; “FBI,” CBS, 9.34 million; “Magnum, P.I.,” CBS, 8.76 million. “Chicago Med,” NBC, 8.51 million; “Mom,” CBS, 8.46 million.

Cardi B is getting her 1st Las Vegas residency

LAS VEGAS

Cardi B will have her first Las Vegas residency this spring.

Palms Casino Resort announced Wednesday the 26-year-old singer’s appearance as part of its debut of KAOS, a dayclub and nightclub amphitheater-style complex that is set to open in April.

Above and Beyond, G-EAZY, Kaskade and Skrillex are among the other artists who will have exclusive residencies at the complex.

KAOS is part of the Palms’ $690 million renovation that features state-of-the-art technology designed to enhance performances including a rotating 360-degree DJ booth.

Tickets for select dates are available.

Underwood, Fisher welcome baby boy

NASHVILLE, Tenn.

Carrie Underwood says her heart is full after the arrival of her second son.

The country superstar posted photos of herself, her husband, Mike Fisher, and her son Isaiah with the newborn, who she said was born early Monday. Her post states “his mom, dad and big brother couldn’t be happier for God to trust them with taking care of this little miracle.”

The seven-time Grammy winner Underwood and Fisher, a former NHL player, named him Jacob Bryan Fisher. The former “American Idol” winner revealed last year that she had three miscarriages in about two years.

Associated Press