The Super Bowl is one of the most highly anticipated sporting events of the year, and this year's game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers did not disappoint. With an average of 123.4 million viewers, it became the most-watched broadcast in the history of television.
The majority of viewers, approximately 112 million, tuned into the CBS broadcast, making it the largest audience ever for a single network. However, viewership was not limited to traditional television channels. Paramount+, Nickelodeon, Univision, CBS Sports, and NFL digital properties, including NFL+, also contributed to the record-breaking numbers. While exact data regarding streaming views isn't available, Paramount+ reported record-breaking viewership, making this Super Bowl the most-streamed ever.
Last year's Super Bowl game between the Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles previously held the title for the largest telecast of all time. Originally ranked as the third most-watched, with 113 million viewers, Nielsen later discovered measurement errors and adjusted the tally to a record-breaking 115.1 million viewers. This year's game exceeded that number by 7%.
It is important to note that these figures represent the average number of viewers who were tuned in at any given moment during the game. According to Nielsen and Adobe Analytics, 202.4 million people viewed at least a portion of the telecast, an increase of 10% from the previous year's 184 million viewers.
The Super Bowl took place at the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada. Kickoff was at 3:30 p.m. PT/6:30 p.m. ET, following a half-hour block of entertainment that included Reba McEntire's stirring rendition of the National Anthem. The highly anticipated halftime performance was headlined by Usher, who brought out renowned musical talents such as Alicia Keys, H.E.R., Will.I.Am, Lil John, Ludacris, and Jermaine Dupri.
In addition to the intense football action and captivating halftime show, the Super Bowl is also known for its star-studded commercials. One memorable ad featured Verizon and showcased Beyoncé and Tony Hale. Beyoncé used the opportunity to announce the upcoming release of her 'Renaissance Act II' country album, set to follow up on her 2022 album 'Renaissance,' with a release date scheduled for March 29.
Rumors and media frenzy surrounding pop star Taylor Swift's relationship with Chiefs player Travis Kelce added an extra layer of excitement to the game. While the exact impact of Swift's presence on NFL ratings remains unclear, a flash poll conducted by consumer research firm Numerator revealed that 20% of Super Bowl viewers were rooting for the Chiefs because of Swift. Fans eagerly watched as Swift entered the arena alongside Blake Lively and Ice Spice, and celebrated with Kelce at the end of the game by sharing a victory kiss.
The Super Bowl continues to captivate audiences year after year, showcasing the best of football, music, entertainment, and advertising. With record-breaking viewership and memorable performances, this year's game proved once again why it is an event that captures the attention of millions across the globe.
