If you watched Kansas City’s 25-22 overtime win over San Francisco on Sunday night in a memorable Super Bowl LVIII from Las Vegas, well, you had plenty of company. The telecast averaged 123.7 million viewers across all platforms, the most-watched program ever, according to Nielsen. The figure was up seven percent from last year’s game, which set the previous record of 115.1 million viewers. CBS’ 120.3 million viewers is the largest audience in history for a single network.
CBS Sports’ total viewership number was made up of CBS, Paramount+, Nickelodeon, Univision, CBS Sports and NFL digital properties including NFL+.
The Kansas City Chiefs won their third Super Bowl in five years. Patrick Mahomes threw for 333 yards, two touchdowns and one interception en route to his third Super Bowl MVP award.
Why did it set a record?
It’s not a mystery you need Matlock to solve. Super Bowl LVIII is only the second Super Bowl to reach overtime, which means that the majority of the audience did not abandon the game in the fourth quarter. There is always significant publicity for every Super Bowl matchup but this one was boosted by two teams that have been viewership draws in recent years, especially the Chiefs.
There was also major viewership momentum heading in. Look at the previous weeks: The Chiefs at the Baltimore Ravens was the most-watched AFC Championship Game ever, averaging 55.473 million viewers; the Buffalo Bills versus the Chiefs in the divisional round topped 50 million viewers; and Fox’s airing of the 49ers hosting the Detroit Lions in the NFC Championship Game averaged 56.9 million viewers. Yes, these games were boosted by out-of-home viewership but they topped last year’s mark which is an apples-to-apples comparison.
This is anecdotal, but I think Las Vegas had unique appeal as a first-time host and a longtime epicenter of sports gambling. Finally, Taylor Swift — given her level of fame — unquestionably prompted some people who don’t sample the Super Bowl to watch. Last year’s Super Bowl drew an average audience of 115.1 million viewers across Fox, Fox Deportes and digital streaming, which topped the 114.4 million viewers who watched New England dramatically win Super Bowl XLIX on NBC in 2015. (The average audience has long been used to determine the most-watched game as opposed to the peak audience.) — Richard Deitsch, senior writer
GO DEEPER
Early NFL Power Rankings 2024: Chiefs reign supreme, but who's next?
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FAQs
The telecast averaged 123.7 million viewers across all platforms, the most-watched program ever, according to Nielsen. The figure was up seven percent from last year's game, which set the previous record of 115.1 million viewers. CBS' 120.3 million viewers is the largest audience in history for a single network.
How many people watched the Super Bowl LVIII? ›
According to Nielsen's National panel measurement, Super Bowl LVIII averaged nearly 124 million viewers on CBS Television Network, Paramount+, Nickelodeon, Univision, and CBS Sports, Univision and NFL digital properties, including NFL+. It ranks as the most-watched Super Bowl of all time.
How many people watched the 2024 Super Bowl on TV? ›
NEW YORK – February 13, 2024 – An estimated 123.7 million viewers tuned in for Super Bowl LVIII on Sunday, February 11, according to average audience estimates from Nielsen. The broadcast averaged 120.3 million viewers on CBS alone, making it the largest audience for a single-network telecast to date.
What was the highest viewership of the Super Bowl? ›
CBS Sports' coverage of Super Bowl LVIII, which featured the Kansas City Chiefs' 25-22 overtime victory over the San Francisco 49ers, delivered the most-watched telecast in history with a 123.4 million average viewers across all platforms, including the CBS Television Network, Paramount+, Nickelodeon, Univision, and ...
Is the Super Bowl 2024 most watched since the moon landing? ›
Super Bowl 2024 was most watched US TV broadcast since 1969 Moon landing. This year's Super Bowl was watched by an average of 123.4 million people in the US, making it the most watched broadcast since the 1969 Moon landing.
What's the most watched show ever? ›
The Apollo 11 moon landing is generally considered to have been the most watched event in American television history with an estimated viewership of between 125 and 150 million viewers.
Which Super Bowl halftime show has the most views? ›
Rihanna. Rihanna performs during Apple Music Super Bowl LVII Halftime Show at State Farm Stadium on Feb. 12, 2023 in Glendale, Arizona. With 121 million viewers, Rihanna's 2023 performance during Super Bowl LVII is the most-watched halftime show in history.
Is the 2024 Super Bowl the most watched NFL championship in history? ›
The 2024 Super Bowl becomes the most watched NFL championship in history About 123 million people tuned in across platforms, including CBS, Paramount+, Univision and Nickelodeon. The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the San Francisco 49ers in a game that went to overtime.
Is Super Bowl 58 the most watched Super Bowl? ›
The Super Bowl 58 featuring the Kansas City Chiefs versus the San Francisco 49ers has shattered all previous TV ratings records, with a historic estimated 123.7 million viewers. Super Bowl 58 becomes the most watched television event in history. Scheffler mucks up green for double bogey.
Did Super Bowl 58 sell out? ›
Due to the seating capacity of Allegiant Stadium, the game's sellout attendance of 61,629 was the smallest crowd in Super Bowl history outside of Super Bowl LV, which was played during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Most Watched Sporting Events in The World
- World Cup of Soccer – 5 Billion Viewers.
- Tour de France – 3.5 Billion Viewers.
- Cricket World Cup – 2.6 Billion Viewers.
- Women's World Cup – 2 Billion Viewers.
- Summer Games – 2 Billion Viewers.
- Winter Games – 2 Billion Viewers.
- UEFA Champions League Final – 450 Million Viewers.
Despite the lack of a paycheck, the NFL does pay for the costs associated with bringing the show to life, which in 2020 cost $13 million, per Reuters. They also cover the artists' travel expenses. "We do not pay the artists," an NFL spokesperson told Forbes in 2016.
What is the most viewed event in history? ›
Nearly six decades later, the Apollo 11 moon landing still stands at the most-watched TV program of all time. Across all networks, upwards of 150 million people tuned in to watch humans touch down on the surface of the moon. No other TV program in U.S. history has even come close to touching that record.
How many people watch the Super Bowl in 2024? ›
Nielsen updated its numbers Tuesday after releasing an early figure of 123.4 million on Monday night.
In what year did the Super Bowl attract the largest audience ever? ›
However, the 2019 game became the least-watched in more than a decade and the household rating for the Super Bowl declined for the fourth consecutive year. The 1982 game remains the highest-rated Super Bowl broadcast; it earned a 49.1 household rating.
Who is the Super Bowl favorite for 2024? ›
Super Bowl 59 odds at BetMGM currently price the Kansas City Chiefs as +550 betting favorites. The 49ers, who just won the NFC, are second in the table at +650.
How many people watched Super Bowl 27? ›
Super Bowl XXVII
| Hall of Famers |
|---|
| Nielsen ratings | 45.1 (est. 90.99 million viewers) |
| Market share | 66 |
| Cost of 30-second commercial | $850,000 |
| Radio in the United States |
20 more rowsThe 2024 Super Bowl, which was hosted at the Allegiant Stadium, in Las Vegas had an attendance of around 61.2 thousand fans. This game saw the Kansas City Chiefs beat the San Francisco 49ers in overtime to claim their second successive.
How many people watched Super Bowl 2013? ›
2 minute read | February 2013
According to Nielsen, Sunday's telecast of Super Bowl XLVII on CBS drew an average audience of 108.7 million viewers. The game, in which the Baltimore Ravens defeated the San Francisco 49ers 34 to 31, was viewed in 53 million homes and had a 46.4 U.S. household rating.
What was the biggest Super Bowl turnout? ›
The NFC West was the last of the six post-merger divisions to reach the Super Bowl. Super Bowl XIV holds the record for attendance with 103,985 spectators.
