Super Bowl ratings: 2024 breaks all previous records

The Super Bowl showdown between the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers on February 11 shattered records, drawing an average of 123.4 million viewers, marking the highest viewership in television history.

A staggering 112 million viewers tuned in to the CBS broadcast alone, setting a new record for a single network. The remaining viewership was spread across platforms like Paramount+, Nickelodeon, Univision, CBS Sports, and NFL digital properties, including NFL+. Paramount Global reported record-breaking viewership on Paramount+, making Sunday's game the most-streamed Super Bowl ever, although precise streaming data is not yet available.

Previously, the most-watched telecast was last year's Super Bowl matchup between the Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles. Initially ranked as the third most-watched game, behind the 2015 and 2017 Super Bowls, Nielsen later revised its measurement, increasing the viewership from 113 million to a record-breaking 115.1 million. Sunday's game surpassed that number by 7%.


These figures, compiled from Nielsen and Adobe Analytics, represent the average number of viewers at any given moment during each game. However, Nielsen estimates that a total of 202.4 million viewers watched at least a portion of the telecast, a 10% increase from last year's 184 million.

The game unfolded at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada, with kickoff at 3:30 p.m. PT/6:30 p.m. ET, following a half-hour entertainment segment featuring Reba McEntire's rendition of the National Anthem. The halftime show, headlined by Usher, featured A-list guests including Alicia Keys, H.E.R., Will.i.am, Lil John, Ludacris, and Jermaine Dupri.

Amidst the football frenzy, the Super Bowl showcased celebrity-studded ads, including a Verizon spot featuring Beyoncé and Tony Hale, where Beyoncé announced her upcoming country album "Renaissance Act II," set for release on March 29.

Adding to the spectacle was the presence of pop sensation Taylor Swift, who has garnered media attention for her relationship with Chiefs player Travis Kelce. While some data suggests Swift's attendance may boost NFL ratings, the impact remains unclear. Nonetheless, fans eagerly watched as Swift entered the arena alongside Blake Lively and Ice Spice, and celebrated with Kelce at the game's conclusion, further enhancing the Super Bowl's allure.