The Super Bowl LVI between the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers will not only be remembered as the longest Super Bowl game in history but also as the most-watched program in television history. According to Nielsen and Adobe Analytics, the game drew an impressive average of 123.4 million viewers across television and streaming platforms. This shattered last year’s record of 115.1 million viewers for Kansas City’s nail-biting victory over the Philadelphia Eagles, representing a significant 7% increase in viewership.
The game was televised by CBS, Nickelodeon, and Univision, reaching a wide range of audiences. Additionally, it was streamed on Paramount+ as well as the NFL’s digital platforms, further extending its reach. Nielsen also reported that a record-breaking 202.4 million viewers watched at least part of the game across all networks, marking a remarkable 10% increase compared to the previous year’s figure of 183.6 million. The CBS broadcast, in particular, averaged 120 million viewers, surpassing its previous record of 112.34 million for the 2016 Super Bowl between the Denver Broncos and the Carolina Panthers.
The increase in viewership can be partly attributed to a change in Nielsen’s measurement methodology. In 2020, Nielsen started including out-of-home viewers in its ratings, initially limited to certain markets. However, this year, the measurement expanded to encompass all 50 states, capturing a more comprehensive viewership. This change undoubtedly contributed to the remarkable surge in viewership for Super Bowl LVI.
Super Bowl LVI will be remembered not only for its record-breaking viewership but also for the thrilling overtime battle between the Chiefs and the 49ers. It was only the second Super Bowl in history to go into overtime, with the previous instance occurring in 2017 when the New England Patriots came from behind to defeat the Atlanta Falcons. The excitement peaked when the Chiefs sent the game into overtime with a field goal by Harrison Butker. Ultimately, the Chiefs clinched their victory when Patrick Mahomes threw a 3-yard touchdown pass to Mecole Hardman.
Adding to the allure of Super Bowl LVI was the presence of pop superstar Taylor Swift, who attended the game as the girlfriend of Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce. Swift’s presence brought new fans to the NFL and further heightened the anticipation and excitement surrounding the game.
Super Bowl LVI marked the second consecutive year that the event surpassed 100 million viewers. In recent years, the Super Bowl faced challenges as some games failed to reach the 100 million viewership mark due to cord-cutting trends. However, the past two years have seen a resurgence, indicating the enduring popularity and appeal of the event. Despite lower viewership in the 2021 Super Bowl between the Chiefs and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, with 95.2 million viewers, it still remained a significant achievement.
Univision, the Spanish-language network, also enjoyed a milestone during Super Bowl LVI. With an average of more than 2.2 million viewers, it achieved the highest Super Bowl viewership ever recorded for a Spanish-language network. Since 2014, the Super Bowl has been televised in Spanish in the United States, further diversifying its audience base.
The Super Bowl’s record-breaking viewership was a part of the success story of the entire NFL season. The playoffs, held during the first three weekends, averaged 38.5 million viewers, showcasing a remarkable 9% increase compared to the previous year. Moreover, the regular season itself had an average viewership of 17.9 million, tied for the second-highest since tracking averages began in 1995. This demonstrates the enduring popularity of the NFL and the unwavering support from its fans.
Super Bowl LVI made history not only as the longest Super Bowl game but also as the most-watched program in television history. With a record-breaking average viewership of 123.4 million and an increase of 7% compared to the previous year’s Super Bowl, it showcased the enduring appeal of the event. Additionally, the inclusion of out-of-home viewers and the presence of stars like Taylor Swift further contributed to the game’s momentous success. The NFL can celebrate not only the Super Bowl’s achievements but also the overall success of the season, with increased viewership during the playoffs and regular season. These records and milestones serve as a testament to the ongoing popularity and excitement surrounding the sport of football.
Leave a Reply