The epic showdown between the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl 58 not only etched its name in history as the longest Super Bowl game but also secured its place as the most-watched program ever on television.
Nielsen and Adobe Analytics revealed that the riveting overtime clash, culminating in the Chiefs’ 25-22 triumph over the 49ers, captivated an average audience of 123.4 million viewers across both traditional television and streaming platforms. This staggering figure shattered the previous record of 115.1 million viewers set just last year during Kansas City’s victory over the Philadelphia Eagles — marking a notable 7% increase.
The game was broadcast by CBS, Nickelodeon, and Univision, while Paramount+ and NFL’s digital platforms offered streaming options. Moreover, Nielsen reported a remarkable milestone of 202.4 million viewers tuning in to at least a portion of the game across all networks, marking a substantial 10% surge compared to the previous year’s figure of 183.6 million.
CBS, the primary broadcaster, commanded an impressive average audience of 120 million viewers, surpassing its own record set during the 2016 Super Bowl matchup between the Denver Broncos and the Carolina Panthers, which drew 112.34 million viewers.
Part of this surge can be attributed to a change in the viewership calculation methodology, with Nielsen now including out-of-home viewers in its ratings nationwide, a practice initiated in 2020.
Sunday’s historic game, only the second Super Bowl to extend into overtime in its 58-year history, delivered unparalleled excitement, leaving CBS Sports chairman Sean McManus in awe.
“I was managing my expectations, but I had a bit of hope that it would happen,” McManus said of Sunday’s overtime session, which was set up when San Francisco kicker Jake Moody had an extra point blocked in the fourth quarter that kept it a three-point game. “I can’t imagine a Super Bowl any better or more exciting than this.”
Adding to the spectacle was the presence of global pop icon Taylor Swift, supporting her partner, Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, a dynamic that has drawn newfound enthusiasts to the NFL.
This remarkable viewership milestone marks the second consecutive year the Super Bowl has attracted over 100 million viewers, signifying a resurgence following a period of declining viewership attributed to cord-cutting trends. Univision also celebrated a record-breaking viewership of over 2.2 million, marking the highest-ever Super Bowl viewership for a Spanish-language network since its inception in 2014.
The NFL playoffs witnessed a commendable 9% increase in viewership over the previous year, averaging 38.5 million viewers during the initial three weekends, following a regular season that matched historical highs with an average of 17.9 million viewers, a testament to the enduring allure and widespread appeal of America’s favorite sport.
