Each year the President’s State of the Union speech, and the opposition response that follows it, ignites a national conversation about a host of issues. Tonight’s #SOTU address and response drew more than 1.36 million Tweets.

If you watched the speech on TV, you could see how members of Congress and political dignitaries responded to the President’s remarks. On Twitter, the ebb and flow of Tweets per minute illustrates some reactions from the rest of us. The highest spikes in conversation occurred when President Obama discussed the following:

- Middle class opportunities & minimum wage; “ladders of opportunity”: 24,000 TPM
- Gun violence victims and need for legislation; “they deserve a vote”: 23,700 TPM
- Early childhood education; “make sure none of our children start the race of life already behind...Let’s give our kids that chance”: 19,000 TPM

During the GOP response delivered by Florida Senator Marco Rubio (@marcorubio), the peak in Twitter conversation came following his pause for a sip of water.  Sen. Rubio poked a bit of fun at himself with a Tweet of his own:

#GOPResponse #SOTU #gop #tcot twitter.com/marcorubio/sta…
— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) February 13, 2013

Sen. Rubio’s press secretary also shared a Vine offering a peek at what goes into setting up a live national address:

Speaker's conference room is ready for @marcorubio's #gopresponse... vine.co/v/bvEZqQYB7XU
— Alex Conant (@AlexConant) February 13, 2013

And as the official speech and counterpoint conclude, the Twitter conversation continued:

Just left the #SOTU. What are your thoughts? Do you have questions? Send them to me with #AskArne.
— Arne Duncan (@arneduncan) February 13, 2013

Posted by Adam Sharp (@sharps)
Head of Government, News and Social Innovation

On most Mondays, we post “This week on Twitter” to alert you to key things happening in the coming week. Whether it’s a live chat with the cast of your favorite TV show, a Q&A with a political candidate or a pro sports team Tweepstakes, keep current about can’t-miss moments on Twitter in the week ahead. - Ed.

The ABC Sweeps Tweets (Ongoing)

Monday, Feb. 11, 2:00 p.m. ET
“General Hospital” (@GeneralHospital), #GH
Follow: Genie Francis (@GenieFrancis)

Monday, Feb. 11, 8:00 p.m.ET
“The Bachelor” (@BachelorABC), #TheBachelor
Follow: Sean Lowe (@SeanLowe09)

Monday, Feb. 11, 10:01 p.m. ET
“Castle” (@Castle_ABC), #Castle
Follow: Penny Johnson Jerald (@btwprod)

Tuesday, Feb. 12, 8:00 p.m. ET
“The Taste” (@TheTasteABC), #TasteOff
Follow: Anthony Bourdain (@Bourdain); Ludo Lefebvre (@chefludo)

Wednesday, Feb. 13, 8:30 p.m. ET
“The Neighbors” (@TheNeighborsABC), #TheNeighbors
Follow: Toks Olagundoye (@ToksOlagundoye); Simon Templeman (@TemplemanSimon)

Wednesday, Feb. 13, 9:00 p.m.ET
“Modern Family” (@ModernFam), #modernfamily
Follow: Writer and Executive Producer, Danny Zuker (@DannyZuker)

Wednesday, Feb. 13, 9:31 p.m. ET
“Suburgatory” (@SuburgatoryABC), #Suburgatory
Follow: Parker Young (@Parker_Young)

Wednesday, Feb. 13, 10:00 p.m. ET
“Nashville” (@Nashville_ABC), #Nashville
Follow: Sam Palladio (@SamPalladio); Clare Bowen (@clarembee)

Thursday, Feb. 14, 8:00 p.m.ET
“Zero Hour” (@ZeroHour_ABC), #ZeroHour
Follow: Anthony Edwards (@anthonyedwards); Jacinda Barrett (@Jacindabarrett); Carmen Ejogo (@carmenejogo); Scott Michael Foster (@scottmfoster); Addison Timlin (@Addijay)

Thursday, Feb. 14, 10:02 p.m. ET
“Scandal” (@ScandalABC), #Scandal
Various cast members will be participating.
Follow: Bellamy Young (@BellamyYoung); Columbus Short (@ColumbusShort1); Darby Stanchfield (@darbystnchfld); Guillermo Diaz (@guillermodiazyo); Jeff Perry (@jscandalp); Josh Malina (@JoshMalina); Katie Lowes (@KatieQLowes); Kerry Washington (@kerrywashington); Tony Goldwyn (@tonygoldwyn)

Friday, Feb. 15, 8:00 p.m. ET
“Last Man Standing” (@LastManABC), #LastManStanding
Follow: Amanda Fuller (@amandafuller27); Kaitlyn Dever (@KaitlynDever); Molly Ephraim (@MollyEphraim); Cristoph Sanders (@StophSanders)

Friday, Feb. 15, 8:31 p.m. ET
“Malibu Country” (@Malibu_Country), #MalibuCountry
Follow: Reba (@reba)

Friday, Feb. 15, 9:00 p.m. ET
“Shark Tank” (@ABCSharkTank), #SharkTank
Various Sharks will be participating.
Follow: Barbara Corcoran (@BarbaraCorcoran); Mark Cuban (@mcuban); Lori Greiner (@LoriGreiner); Robert Herjavec (@robertherjavec); Daymond John (@TheSharkDaymond); Kevin O’Leary (@kevinolearytv)

I'm going to hit you up on Monday live. FYI, had a sneak peek at the episode...fell off the couch & ended in a mad snuggle with hubby.Whew!
— Penny Johnson Jerald (@btwprod) February 8, 2013

NBA All-Star Weekend (Ongoing)
All of the slam dunks and 3-pointers from the NBA All-Star (@NBAAllStar) weekend will simultaneously be on Twitter as players, analysts and other insiders share their experiences with Tweets and Vines throughout the week. Here are ways NBA fans can get closer to the action:

Tuesday, Feb. 12
Boris Kodjoe (@BorisKodjoe) will take over the @NBATV account.

Wednesday, Feb. 13
Common (@common) will take over the @NBATV account during the @celtics/@chicagobulls game.

Friday, Feb. 15
Fans can vote for the Rising Stars Challenge MVP using hashtags (tune-in for details).

Saturday, Feb. 16
Fans can vote for Slam Dunk contestants using hashtags (tune-in for details).

Sunday, Feb. 17
Fans can vote for the NBA All-Star Game MVP using hashtags (tune-in for details).

For full coverage on Twitter follow @NBA, @NBAAllStar, @NBAonTNT and @NBATV

A week away from the 2013 #NBAAllStar Game.... Houston is getting dressed for the occasion!twitpic.com/c2n5na
— 2013 #NBAAllStar(@NBAAllStar) February 11, 2013

Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show (Feb. 11-12)
Fans can engage with the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show (@WKCDOGS) using #WKCDOGS to share comments on their favorite dogs, root for their favorite breed and make their predictions about who will win Best In Show.

State of the Union (Feb. 12)
Now that the Presidential Election and Inauguration have come and gone, it’s time for the State of the Union Address. As with most political events, you can join the conversation on Twitter or just follow along using the hashtag #SOTU.

Psych Slumber Party (Feb. 15-16) 
USA Network (@USA_Network) and the cast of PSYCH (@Psych_USA) are teaming up with fans for a first-ever, on-air slumber party starting at midnight ET on Friday, February 15 and concluding at 6 a.m. ET on Saturday, February 16. Fans can watch the on-air social ticker as Tweets using #PSYCHSlumberParty share favorite PSYCH moments and sentiments. The Tweets will appear on-air all night.

Tell us how you'll be celebrating the #PsychSlumberParty with a 15 sec #Tout and you might see yourself on-air this Friday!
— Psych_USA (@Psych_USA) February 11, 2013

Check back more for next week!

Posted by Alexandra Valasek (@AlzValz)
Communications

Tonight’s GRAMMY awards brought together the biggest stars from each corner of the music world. Fans tuned in to see who took home the hardware, and also to take in the blockbuster performances. Throughout the evening, fans sent more than 14 million Tweets about the GRAMMYs.

The biggest spikes in Twitter conversation about the show came during these memorable moments:

-Jay-Z, Kanye West, Frank Ocean, and The Dream win for best rap collaboration (and Jay-Z jokes about The Dream’s hat): 116,400 TPM
-Rihanna’s solo performance: 114,800 TPM
-Prince announces Record of the Year: 109,400 TPM
-Fun. wins best new artist: 100,600 TPM

The star-studded performances were big topics of conversation as well, as fans watched unique collaborations and jaw-dropping theatrics. The on-stage performances that generated the most buzz were:

-Rihanna’s solo performance of “Stay”
-Bob Marley tribute (featuring Sting, Bruno Mars, Rihanna, and Ziggy Marley)
-Carrie Underwood performs “Blown Away”
-Maroon 5 and Alicia Keys collaboration
-Justin Timberlake performs with Jay-Z

Whether it was because of their performance, their victory, or maybe their attire, these artists individually were the hottest topics of conversation on Twitter:

1. Rihanna
2. Frank Ocean
3. Taylor Swift
4. Beyonce
5. Justin Timberlake
6. Ed Sheeran

In between taking the stage to pick up trophies or present awards, stars managed to make some time to tweet:

@kelly_clarkson say when! You killed tonight, MUCH LOVE
— Miguel (@MiguelUnlimited) February 11, 2013

WE JUST WON A GRAMMY FOR SAFE AND SOUND!!!!!!!!!!
— Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13) February 10, 2013

@lecrae Congratulations on your #Grammy! So happy for you!
— Carrie Underwood (@carrieunderwood) February 10, 2013

About to go onstage for the Grammys! This is my view from backstage. twitter.com/ActuallyNPH/st…
— Neil Patrick Harris (@ActuallyNPH) February 11, 2013

still can't believe it, but this makes it easier.this is for YOU guys and YOUR support of ZBB #UNCAGED #GRAMMYS twitter.com/zacbrownband/s…
— Zac Brown Band (@zacbrownband) February 11, 2013

And a popular stop on the red carpet and backstage was at the tweeting mirror, sharing the night’s coolest VIP photos:

On the red carpet for the#grammys with @rihanna twitter.com/TheGRAMMYs/sta…
— The GRAMMYs (@TheGRAMMYs) February 11, 2013

On the red carpet for the#grammys with @keithurban @nicolekidman twitter.com/TheGRAMMYs/sta…
— The GRAMMYs (@TheGRAMMYs) February 11, 2013

Backstage at the #grammys with @ryanseacrest twitter.com/TheGRAMMYs/sta…
— The GRAMMYs (@TheGRAMMYs) February 11, 2013

And even some big names that weren’t in the Staples Center shared their own live-tweeting commentary too:

SO PROUD of @blablablabling and @edwardsharpe for their Grammy win!!!! Big Easy Express is a brilliant film. Well deserved!!
— olivia wilde (@oliviawilde) February 10, 2013

Congrats to @therealjanisian! Such an honor even to be nominated for the #Grammys -- looking forward to watching tonight! -mo
— FLOTUS (@FLOTUS) February 11, 2013

Miguel and Wiz killed it!! Nice track
— LeBron James (@KingJames) February 11, 2013

Until next time!

Posted by Tatiana Simonian (@Tatiana)
Head of Music

Peanut butter + jelly, peas + carrots, Twitter + music — they’re all better together. The music world is huge on Twitter:

 ◦ 50% of active users follow at least one musician
 ◦ the top 4 most-followed people are musicians
 ◦ music is the second-most-discussed topic on Twitter in the U.S.

Sunday’s GRAMMYs (8pm ET/PT on Sunday on CBS) promises to be its most social yet. This year, the GRAMMYs’ promotional tag is  #TheWorldIsListening, reflecting all the cool Twitter programming that will accompany the broadcast. You’ll also see the official GRAMMYs hashtag #grammys, which you can use to jump into the conversation revolving around the on-air party.

To transport you directly to backstage at the Staples Center, the GRAMMYs will also have “mirrors” that tweet stationed around the venue. These tricked-out iPads will let red carpet strutters, presenters, and award winners share a message, strike a pose and tweet photos during their biggest moments. Follow @TheGrammys and @CBS to catch all the snaps backstage and on the red carpet.

If you’re watching the show on TV, follow the all-star cast of live-tweeters to get as close to the show as possible. Throughout the night, a mix of nominees, attendees, presenters, and musicians watching from their own homes will be tweeting their unique perspectives. You can check out the line-up on the Discover page, and follow them via this Twitter list. 

 Attendees:
@TheGRAMMYs 
@CBS 
@CBSTweet 
@GRAMMYKen 
@PauleyP 
@TheEllenShow 
@hunterhayes 
@zacbrownband 
@emelisande 
@Pharrell 
@SteveAoki 
@dianamadison 
@hollyscoop 
@BonnieMckee

Couch commentators:
@common 
@shinedown 
@chevelleinc 
@honorsociety
@parachute 
@steveangello 
@puddleofmudd 
@sebby_g 
@iamjericho 
@tranquilmammoth 
@ash_costello 
@michaelvampire 
@TheRealBSmyth
@mindlessbhavior
@zedd 

...and more who will make surprise live-tweeting appearances throughout the night, in true rock star style.

The buzz is already building, and the Tweets are already flowing:

We're excited to perform with @aliciakeys on @thegrammys Feb. 10 on @cbstweet #TheWorldIsListening
— Maroon 5 (@maroon5) January 31, 2013

Wait until u see what I do with @maroon5 on @thegrammys Feb. 10 on @cbstweet. #TheWorldIsListening ;-)
— Alicia Keys (@aliciakeys) January 31, 2013

Backstage with @redfoo @salt_mac @fastfreddymurph #grammys #mix1041! Fred photo bombing! twitter.com/GreggDaniels/s…
— Gregg Daniels (@GreggDaniels) February 7, 2013

Did someone say @thegrammys in a few days?!?! Sheeeesh. I am excited. Bound for LA as of tomorrow. Time to get the razzle dazzle on!
— Kimbra (@kimbramusic) February 7, 2013

Don’t miss out on the night’s biggest moments that unfold on Twitter, because when Twitter and music take center stage, #TheWorldIsListening.

Posted by Tatiana Simonian (@tatiana)
Head of Music

Yesterday, we updated our Android, iOS and mobile web apps to make it easier for you to find relevant content when you’re on the go. We also started to roll out an additional update on our mobile apps as well as on twitter.com: you'll now be able to find older Tweets using search. To see for yourself, try searching for [Manchester United Southampton] or [#SpotTheShuttle].

Previously, Twitter search results displayed Tweets going back about a week. We’ve developed a way to include older Tweets, so you can see content that goes beyond the more recent Tweets.

As we roll this out over the coming days, the Tweets that you’ll see in search results represent a fairly small percentage of total Tweets ever sent. We look at a variety of types of engagement, like favorites, retweets and clicks, to determine which Tweets to show. We’ll be steadily increasing this percentage over time, and ultimately, aim to surface the best content for your query. For now, enjoy your trip down memory lane!

Posted by Paul Burstein (@pasha407)
Engineer, Search Infrastructure

As the latest looks emerge during the upcoming New York Fashion Week, you’ll see them very close up on Twitter as designers, models and insiders make their way through the tents. As they tweet and share Vines from backstage or the front row, these live-tweets will bring the glamour closer to you. Find all the designers and many of the writers, models and stylists of #NYFW on our Fashion "Get Started" page.

#VineWalk (Feb. 8) 
Before the models embark on the runway at the Rebecca Minkoff show on Feb. 8, they’ll share a preview with their “Vinewalk”. Check @RebeccaMinkoff or Vine (vine.co) for exclusive previews of looks before the show.

Twitter Mirror (Ongoing)
The New York Times’ T Magazine (@TMagazine) offers a special peek behind the scenes during several of the shows. Half makeup mirror, half photo-booth, a Twitter mirror will tweet photos from the scene with just one touch. T’s fashion editors will travel from show to show with the magic mirror to share the action up close via @TMagazine.

#DayInTheLife (Ongoing)
Throughout Fashion Week, models, designers and editors will share glimpses into their (long) days via #dayinthelife. Follow along as they tweet pre- and post-runway show images for all to see. Follow @Twitterfashion as well as these fashion VIPs now to see what a #DayInTheLife looks like:

- Karlie Kloss (@KarlieKloss)
- Nigel Barker (@NigelBarker)
- Heidi Klum (@HeidiKlum)
- Kenneth Cole (@KennethCole)
- Rebecca Minkoff (@RebeccaMinkoff)
- Josephine Skriver (@JosephinSkriver)
- Badgley Mischka (@BadgleyMischka)
- Who What Wear (@WhoWhatWear)
- Belstaff (@Belstaff)

Back at #salonruggeri to a hair touch up #dayinthelife #NYFW ������ twitter.com/JosephinSkrive…
— Josephine Skriver (@JosephinSkriver) February 5, 2013

Making final arrangements (& alterations) for #KCRUNWAY... is it too late to run-away? #NYFW #DayInTheLife twitter.com/KennethCole/st…
— Kenneth Cole (@KennethCole) February 5, 2013

One week to go until the runway... a glimpse of what's to come. #NYFW #DayInTheLife twitter.com/BadgleyMischka…
— Badgley Mischka (@BadgleyMischka) February 5, 2013 

Just arrived: sunglasses galore #dayinthelife twitter.com/RebeccaMinkoff…

— Rebecca Minkoff (@RebeccaMinkoff) February 5, 2013

Even though you may not be there in person, your front row seat to this week’s #NYFW shows is waiting for you on Twitter.

Posted by Jenna Mannos (@JennaMannos)
Media Team

Today we’re updating the Android and iOS apps, as well as mobile.twitter.com. This release provides a single stream of content in each tab, so you can better find what’s most important to you when you’re on the go.

• Discover: Now all the content in Discover — Tweets, Activity, Trends and suggestions of accounts to follow — appears in a single stream, on both iPhone and Android. You can also dive into Activity and Trends from new previews at the top of the Discover tab.
• Search: Search results now surface the most relevant mix of Tweets, photos, and accounts, all in one stream (similar to the stream in Discover). We’ve also added a new search button to Twitter for iPhone, letting you search from anywhere within the app. (This button was already available in the Android and iPad apps.) Look for the magnifying glass icon next to the button you use to compose a Tweet.
• Connect: To provide a simpler experience in the Connect tab, the default view is now Interactions, which shows you new followers, retweets and mentions. If you prefer to view only your mentions in Connect, you can adjust the default in settings – find the “Connect tab” option and select “Mentions only”.
• Links: Click a URL in a Tweet to go directly to that website from any timeline and get to content highlighted on Twitter faster. (Previously, when you tapped any part of a Tweet, it would first expand and then a second click was required to get to the website.)

As always, you can learn more about what’s new in our mobile apps from the App Store or Google Play.

Posted by Esteban Kozak (@ekozak)

Director, Product Management

Today we’re happy to announce that we have acquired Bluefin Labs, a leading social TV analytics company that provides data products to brand advertisers, agencies, and TV networks. We believe that Bluefin’s data science capabilities and social TV expertise will help us create innovative new ad products and consumer experiences in the exciting intersection of Twitter and TV.

This acquisition reflects our commitment to the social TV market, and builds on our exclusive partnership with Nielsen announced in December to develop the Nielsen Twitter TV Rating, the centerpiece of social TV measurement based on Nielsen’s SocialGuide platform. We intend to honor existing Bluefin customer contracts, but we will not continue to sell Bluefin’s product suite beyond the existing contracts. We plan to collaborate closely with Nielsen and SocialGuide on product development and research to help brands, agencies, and networks fully understand the combined value of Twitter and TV.

As millions of people around the world experienced during Sunday’s Super Bowl broadcast, Twitter is an amazing complement to live television viewing. We look forward to working with Bluefin and our partners in the television industry to make the experience of Twitter and television even better.

Here’s the Bluefin team’s post on today’s news.

Posted by Ali Rowghani - @ROWGHANI
Chief Operating Officer

On most Mondays, this series alerts you to key things happening on Twitter in the coming week. A live chat with the cast of your favorite TV show, a Q&A with a candidate or author, a pro sports team Tweepstakes — this is the way to keep current on the can’t-miss moments on Twitter for the week ahead. - Ed. 

Fans of several shows this week can take their viewing experience to the next level by following along with stars as they live-tweet episodes.

Tuesday, Feb. 5; 9:00 p.m. ET
"Smash" (@NBCSmash) 2-hour season premiere event, #Smash
Follow: Andy Mientus (@andymientus); Wesley Taylor (@WesTayTay); Leslie Odom Jr.(@Leslieodomjr); Krysta Rodriguez, (@KrystaR0driguez)

Friday, Feb. 8; 10:30 p.m. ET
“The Jenny McCarthy Show” premiere on VH1 (@VH1), #Jenny
Follow: Jenny McCarthy (@JennyMcCarthy)

Sunday, Feb. 10; 8:00 p.m. ET
“Once Upon A Time” (@OnceABC), #OnceUponATime
Follow: Jorge Garcia (@jorgegarcia) 

Sunday, Feb. 10; 9:00 p.m. ET
“Revenge” (@Revenge) on ABC (@ABCNetwork), #Revenge
Follow: Barry Sloane (@BarrySloane) 

My talk show is every Friday night starting next week. If u are in NYC, come see the show! If not tweet live with me. @vh1
— Jenny McCarthy (@JennyMcCarthy) February 1, 2013

#Smash returns on a high note February 5 at 9/8c! y2u.be/QOgDbGluWQ8
— Smash (@NBCSmash) January 17, 2013

I will be Live Tweeting during the next @revenge episode on the 10th of February on both East and West Coast time zones. #Revenge #LiveTweet
— Barry Sloane (@BarrySloane) January 29, 2013

 Check back next week for more!

Posted by Alexandra Valasek - (@AlzValz)
Communications

The game is over, the confetti has descended, and #RavensNation is celebrating their big victory. During the Sunday matchup between the @ravens and @49ers, the roar of the crowd was comprised of 24.1 million Tweets about the game and halftime show (this leaves aside the ads, about which more below). By the beginning of the second half, the volume of Tweets had already surpassed last year’s Tweet total.

The moments generating the biggest peaks of Twitter conversation (measured in Tweets per minute, or TPM) during the game:
- Power outage: 231,500 TPM
- 108-yard kickoff return for Ravens TD by Jones: 185,000 TPM
- Clock expires; Ravens win: 183,000 TPM
- Jones catches 56 yard pass for Ravens TD (end of 2nd quarter): 168,000 TPM
- Gore TD for 49ers: 131,000 TPM

Tonight’s most mentioned players were (in order): Ray Lewis (@Raylewis), Joe Flacco (@teamflacco), Colin Kaepernick (@Kaepernick7) and Jacoby Jones.

Whether they were inside the stadium or glued to screens elsewhere, athletes and commentators tweeted out their thoughts during the game’s big moments.

Wow on the return to start 2nd half and Wow on the damn lights! Lets see if this changes the momentum
— Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) February 4, 2013

49ers need an interception.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) February 4, 2013

That's A Bad Call. A kicker trying 2 Get 9yds #childplease #SuperBowl
— Leon Washington (@Leon_Washington) February 4, 2013

Something that's very clear if you're at this game - the Ravens can't cover Vernon Davis. He's open every time.
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) February 4, 2013

The other superstar on the field tonight was @Beyonce. Her halftime performance lit up Twitter (did it affect the Superdome power grid, we wonder?), generating 5.5 million Tweets. Fans’ favorites reflected by Tweet volume:
 - Conclusion of her show: 268,000 TPM
- Destiny’s Child reunion on stage: 257,500 TPM
- Singing ‘Single Ladies’: 252,500 TPM 

A few Tweets that flew about @Beyonce's energetic performance:

Watching the #SuperBowl with family & friends. @beyonce was phenomenal! I am so proud of her! -mo
— FLOTUS (@FLOTUS) February 4, 2013

Probably the best half time show I've ever seen!! Get it @beyonce !!!! #DestinysChild HOLY COW! #SB47
— Shawn Johnson (@ShawnJohnson) February 4, 2013

. @beyonce was so bootylicious that she knocked the power out at the #SuperBowl -ck
— Lady Antebellum (@ladyantebellum) February 4, 2013

Of course, it wouldn’t be a Super Bowl without conversation-starting ads — some planned, and others that emerged in real time. Of the national broadcast ads that aired during the game, approximately half had a hashtag included in them, up from one in five last year.

The biggest surprise of the game was the 33:55 power outage that halted the Superdome action. And during that hiatus, Twitter was most definitely on. Several parody accounts (e.g. @superbowllights) popped up to provide some comedic relief as anticipation built.

Turn out the lights..... twitter.com/davidgregory/s…
— David Gregory (@davidgregory) February 4, 2013

Lights out!!! Any questions??
— Mr. Carter (@S_C_) February 4, 2013

All the lights are out!! It’s pandemonium!! Thank god we have out Beyonce finger lights! twitter.com/ActuallyNPH/st…
— Neil Patrick Harris (@ActuallyNPH) February 4, 2013

What people don't talk about is how the lights were on for the entire first half.. #smh #SuperBowl
— Superdome Light Crew (@superbowlights) February 4, 2013

Additionally, the half-hour-plus downtime gave brands on Twitter a chance to showcase humor, creativity... and abs.

Power out? No problem. twitter.com/Oreo/status/29…
— Oreo Cookie (@Oreo) February 4, 2013

We can't get your #blackout, but we can get your stains out. #SuperBowl #TidePower twitter.com/tide/status/29…
— Tide (@tide) February 4, 2013

This might be a good time think about alternative programming. #SuperBowlBlackOut #WeHaveDowntonPBS
— PBS (@PBS) February 4, 2013

Since the lights are still out... vine.co/v/b1iiiiUz5uq #SB47
— Calvin Klein (@CalvinKlein) February 4, 2013

Illustrating just how fast advertisers moved in: it took just four minutes for the first Promoted Tweet to appear against searches for [power outage] on Twitter. We’ll have more stats about the ads that ran during #sb47, including the results of our #AdScrimmage, later this week on the Twitter Advertising Blog.

Meanwhile, over at the #PuppyBowl, where fans were heartily rooting heartily for Butterscotch or Copper, there were about 500,000 Tweets — including a perhaps unsurprising uptick during the Big Game’s power outage.

Posted by Omid Ashtari (@omid)
Head of Sports & Entertainment