The longest Super Bowl game in history has also made its mark as the most-watched program on television. According to Nielsen and Adobe Analytics, Kansas City’s thrilling 25-22 overtime victory against San Francisco on Sunday night captivated an average of 123.4 million viewers across both television and streaming platforms. This surpasses last year’s record of 115.1 million viewers for Kansas City’s last-second triumph over Philadelphia, marking a significant increase of 7%.
Viewers had the opportunity to catch the game on various networks, as it was broadcasted by Paramount Global’s CBS, Nickelodeon, and Univision. Additionally, it was streamed on Paramount+ and the NFL’s digital platforms, providing ample options for fans to tune in and enjoy every moment.
Nielsen also reported that an astounding 202.4 million viewers watched at least a portion of the game across all networks, reflecting a substantial 10% surge compared to last year’s figure of 183.6 million.
The CBS broadcast of the game garnered an average of 120 million viewers, breaking its previous record of 112.34 million viewers set during the intense Super Bowl matchup between the Denver Broncos and Carolina Panthers in 2016.
Part of the viewer increase can be attributed to a change in how viewership is measured. In 2020, Nielsen began including out-of-home viewers in its ratings, initially focusing on limited markets. However, this expanded nationwide this year, leading to a more comprehensive representation of the Super Bowl’s immense popularity.
The game itself created history by entering overtime, only the second time it has happened in the 58 Super Bowl games played thus far. Previously, in 2017, fans witnessed an unforgettable comeback as New England rallied from a 28-3 deficit to secure a 34-28 victory against Atlanta.
The combination of an extraordinary game, multiple viewing options, and increased measurement accuracy has solidified this Super Bowl’s place as a television sensation. Whether it was experienced through traditional channels or cutting-edge streaming platforms, fans united to witness the excitement and thrill that only the Super Bowl can deliver.
An Epic Super Bowl Ends in Overtime Thriller
“I was managing my expectations, but I had a bit of hope that it would happen,” CBS Sports chairman Sean McManus said of the thrilling overtime showdown between the San Francisco 49ers and the Kansas City Chiefs. The game took an unexpected turn when San Francisco kicker Jake Moody had an extra point blocked in the fourth quarter, keeping it a three-point game. “I can’t imagine a Super Bowl any better or more exciting than this,” McManus added.
The tension grew as Kansas City sent the game into overtime with Harrison Butker’s field goal. The 49ers kicked a field goal on the opening possession of OT, but it was the Chiefs who emerged victorious when Patrick Mahomes connected with Mecole Hardman for a 3-yard touchdown pass.
Amidst the thrilling action, there was an added attraction in the stands – pop superstar Taylor Swift. Swift, who is dating Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, has brought new fans to the NFL through their high-profile romance.
This year’s Super Bowl continued a trend of high viewership, with over 100 million viewers tuning in for the second consecutive year. This is a significant achievement, given that four of the five games prior to 2023 fell short of that number due to cord-cutting. Last year’s Tampa Bay vs. Kansas City matchup drew 95.2 million viewers, making it the lowest TV-only average since 2007.
Notably, Univision achieved a record-breaking milestone with over 2.2 million viewers, marking the highest Super Bowl viewership ever recorded for a Spanish-language network. The Super Bowl has been broadcasted in Spanish in the United States since 2014.
The NFL playoffs also saw a boost in viewership, with an average of 38.5 million viewers during the first three weekends, representing a 9% increase compared to the previous year. This trend followed a regular season that averaged 17.9 million viewers, tying it for the second-highest since tracking began in 1995.
