The recently concluded Super Bowl game has not only left fans on the edge of their seats with its thrilling overtime victory but has also broken records as the most-watched program in U.S. television history. According to Nielsen and Adobe Analytics, the game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers averaged a staggering 123.4 million viewers across television and streaming platforms.
This record-breaking number shattered last year's viewership of 115.1 million during the Super Bowl game between Kansas City and Philadelphia, marking a 7% increase in viewership. The game was broadcasted by CBS, Nickelodeon, and Univision, and was also available for streaming on Paramount+ and the NFL's digital platforms.
Notably, Nielsen reported that a record-breaking 202.4 million viewers watched at least part of the game across all networks, marking a substantial 10% rise compared to last year's figure of 183.6 million. The CBS broadcast alone averaged 120 million viewers, surpassing their previous record of 112.34 million viewers for the 2016 Super Bowl game between the Denver Broncos and Carolina Panthers.
It is worth mentioning that part of the increase in viewership can be attributed to a change in the way Nielsen counts viewers. In 2020, Nielsen started including out-of-home viewers in its ratings, but only from limited markets. However, this year, the measurement was expanded to include all 50 states, contributing to the rise in overall viewership numbers.
The thrilling nature of the game also played a significant role in attracting such a massive audience. Sunday's Super Bowl marked only the second time in its 58-year history that the game went into overtime. The previous overtime game occurred in 2017 when the New England Patriots orchestrated a historic comeback against the Atlanta Falcons.
'I can't imagine a Super Bowl any better or more exciting than this,' expressed CBS Sports chairman, Sean McManus, highlighting the captivating nature of the game, which featured a blocked extra point kick and a game-winning touchdown in overtime.
In addition to the intense on-field action, the presence of global pop superstar Taylor Swift in the audience added an extra allure to the event. Swift, who is reportedly dating Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, has brought new fans to the NFL, further enhancing the Super Bowl's appeal.
The remarkable viewership numbers of this year's game have continued a positive trend for the Super Bowl. For the second consecutive year, the event surpassed the milestone of 100 million viewers, countering a previous decline in viewership due to cord-cutting. The 2021 Super Bowl between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Kansas City Chiefs drew 95.2 million viewers, which was the lowest TV-only average since 2007.
The Spanish-language network Univision also saw a record-breaking Super Bowl viewership, averaging more than 2.2 million viewers. This achievement marks the highest viewership for a Spanish-language network since the Super Bowl started broadcasting in Spanish in the United States back in 2014.
The Super Bowl's success in capturing audiences follows a trend seen throughout the NFL playoffs. The playoffs averaged 38.5 million viewers during the first three weekends, showing a significant 9% increase compared to the previous year.
Furthermore, the regular season also enjoyed strong viewership, averaging 17.9 million viewers. This figure is tied for the second-highest average since television ratings were first tracked in 1995.
The impressive viewership numbers of the Super Bowl and the NFL as a whole highlight the continued popularity of football and the significant role it plays in American culture. As fans eagerly anticipate next year's Super Bowl, broadcasters and the NFL itself can take pride in their ability to captivate audiences and deliver an exciting and memorable experience year after year.
