Super Bowl 2024 Was Most Watched Telecast of All Time, Reaching More Than 123 Million Viewers

In a groundbreaking moment for television history, this year's Super Bowl, held on February 11 and featuring a thrilling face-off between the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers, has shattered all previous records to become the most-watched broadcast ever. According to Variety, the game captivated an average of 123.4 million viewers, making it the highest-viewed event in the history of television broadcasting.

The broadcast on CBS alone pulled in an astonishing 112 million viewers, setting a new benchmark for the largest audience on a single network. The remaining viewership was spread across an array of platforms including Paramount+, Nickelodeon, Univision, CBS Sports, and NFL digital properties, with Paramount+ experiencing unprecedented streaming numbers, marking the event as the most-streamed Super Bowl to date, although specific streaming figures remain undisclosed.

Last Year's Super Bowl Record Broken

This viewership milestone surpasses the previous record held by last year's Super Bowl, which, after adjustments for Nielsen's measurement errors, had reached a then-record-breaking 115.1 million viewers. The combined data from Nielsen and Adobe Analytics highlighted that an average number of viewers were tuned in at any moment during the game, but Nielsen's broader measure suggests that over 202.4 million people watched at least part of the telecast, a significant increase from last year's 184 million.

Pre-Gaming with Superstars

The event, hosted at the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada, began with a half-hour of entertainment, including a performance of the National Anthem by Reba McEntire. The halftime show saw Usher headlining, with appearances by A-list artists such as Alicia Keys and Ludacris, adding to the spectacle.

A-list Celebrity Commercial Appearances

Beyond the game, the Super Bowl is renowned for its high-profile ads and this year was no exception. A notable advertisement from Verizon featured Beyoncé and Tony Hale, with Beyoncé using the platform to announce her upcoming album "Renaissance Act II."

The Taylor Effect

The Super Bowl also rode the wave of the Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce media frenzy, with the pop star's presence at the game and her relationship with the Chiefs player adding to the viewership draw. Swift's appearance, alongside celebrities like Blake Lively and Ice Spice, and her celebratory moment with Kelce, was a highlight for many fans, underscoring the event's broad appeal beyond just the sports community.