Super Bowl LIX scores 126 million viewers despite blowout
The Super Bowl may have developed immunity against a terrible game.
Early Nielsen data and a projection from Fox and the NFL showed 126 million viewers watched Sunday's telecast of the Philadelphia Eagles' 40-22 drubbing of the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX.
If the total holds up when final official numbers are issued Tuesday, the game would be up slightly from last year's record of 123.7 million viewers who watched the Chiefs' 25-22 win over the San Francisco 49ers on CBS.
Fox said an average of 13.6 million viewers watched the game on Tubi, the company's free ad-supported streaming platform, which carried the event for the first time. Another 900,000 watched on the NFL's streaming app.
Read more: Why the Chiefs-Eagles Super Bowl rematch could deliver a ratings record for Fox
Last year, Nielsen recorded the TV audience on CBS as 120 million viewers. That figure would be well above the 111 million viewers who watched Sunday's game on TV networks Fox, Telemundo and Fox Deportes, based on early data.
The Super Bowl was streamed on Paramount+ and the NFL streaming app in 2024, both of which require a subscription.
The availability of a free, widely distributed streaming platform to carry the Eagles-Chiefs telecast likely brought in more casual fans. Tubi had around 97 million active users in January.
The Super Bowl has regularly topped 100 million viewers since 2009 and fluctuated based on the competitiveness of the game.
Based on early data, 135 million viewers watched the second quarter, between 8 and 8:15 p.m. Eastern time. The Eagles led 24-0 at halftime, which likely led to some viewers tuning out in the second half.
The game had the ingredients of another ratings record-setter, with Taylor Swift to cheer on boyfriend Travis Kelce, the Chiefs' star tight end. President Trump heightened the anticipation by being the first sitting commander-in-chief to attend a Super Bowl.
The lopsided outcome of Sunday's contest was reminiscent of the run of terrible Super Bowl matchups of the mid-1980s, when there were five consecutive blowouts decided by 19 points or more.
Fox scored a record price of $8 million for some of the commercials on the game. Viewers surveyed in USA Today's annual Super Bowl Ad Meter chose a Budweiser commercial featuring the beer brand's iconic Clydesdale horses as their favorite.
The halftime show featuring Pulitzer Prize-winning hip-hop artist Kendrick Lamar was polarizing on social media, but provided the liveliest conversation of the night amid the Chiefs' dismal performance on the field.
Sign up for our Wide Shot newsletter to get the latest entertainment business news, analysis and insights.
This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
21 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Can The Falcons Overtake The Buccaneers For The NFC South?
Can The Falcons Overtake The Buccaneers For The NFC South? originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Falcons were two games behind the Buccaneers in the standings event though the Falcons were 2-0 against their division rival. With the youth of the Panthers and the quarterback dilemma of the Saints, the Falcons are the main competition for the Bucs, and it will be an interesting battle in 2025. Advertisement It is very important for the Falcons to not drop certain games, especially against division rivals. The NFC has been dominant and it's the kind of conference that is requiring at least 10-11 win to have a shot at making the playoffs. Feb 25, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Atlanta Falcons coach Raheem Morris speaks during the NFL Scouting Combine at the Indiana Convention Lee-Imagn Images The team has improved over the last few seasons, and they believe that the team they have now is the one that can get them over the hump. The playoffs have eluded the Falcons since 2017, and with Raheem Morris as coach they hope that the improvement reaches an all-time high. The Bucs have won the NFC South every year since 2021, and even when they were second in the division, they ended up winning the Super Bowl. The Falcons must step up and take that crown from them, and they must utilize all their weapons and step up on defense. Advertisement There are still many questions that the Falcons have not answered yet, those include the statuses of Kirk Cousins and Kyle Pitts. There is still a long way to go until the start of the season. The Falcons are hoping to finally get back to the playoffs, and 2025 is the year to do it. They had a successful draft and a good offseason overall. Related: Kyle Pitts Dealing With A Foot Injury Related: Expectations For The Falcons Are The Highest They've Been In Years This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 4, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
New Orleans Saints Quarterback Competition Heats Up in Final Week of OTAs
New Orleans Saints Quarterback Competition Heats Up in Final Week of OTAs originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The New Orleans Saints quarterback competition stays hot. The final practice open to the media for OTAs highlighted the intense battle between rookie quarterback Tyler Shough and second-year quarterback Spencer Rattler. New Orleans Saints quarterback Tyler Shough (6)Stephen Lew-Imagn Images On Thursday, the Saints' offense worked in the red zone. Spencer Rattler ended the day 6/8 passing with 3 touchdowns, while Shough finished 7/8 passing with one touchdown. Both players rotated working with the first and second teams. Advertisement The quarterback battle became public first during the open portion of the first week of OTAs when Shough and Rattler each had impressive showings. During 7-on-7 sessions, Rattler went a perfect 8/8 passing, while Shough followed up closely, going 7/8 with a deep 50+ yard bomb to Shaheed. The two young signal callers continued their impressive runs in 7-on-7 drills the following week. During the open portion of the Saints week two OTAs, Shough went 9/12 with 2 touchdowns and an interception. The rookie quarterback's touchdowns came excitingly, with both being 60+ yard deep passes. Rattler continues to be right on Shough's trail, however, going 10/12 passing. Shough finishes OTAs going 23/28 for 3 touchdowns and an interception while Rattler ends 24/28 passing with 3 touchdowns. Both players delivered impressive performances, continuing the tight battle for the starting quarterback. While head coach Kellen Moore said the team will maintain similar workouts during minicamp, the real battle will begin in training camp, when teams will be allowed contact drills. As training camp ramps up and bleeds into preseason, a starter will be named. Advertisement Related: New Orleans Saints Cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry to Switch Jersey Number Related: New Orleans Saints Lead NFL in Cap Space Gained After June 1st Roster Moves This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 5, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Saints Cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry to Switch Jersey Number to No. 4
Saints Cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry to Switch Jersey Number to No. 4 originally appeared on Athlon Sports. A new look for the New Orleans Saints second-year cornerback. Cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry is switching from jersey No. 14 to No. 4, per the team's website. Dec 8, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New Orleans Saints cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry (14) reacts after breaking up a pass intended for New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers (1) during the second quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images Brad Penner-Imagn Images McKinstry first wore No. 34 during the offseason of his rookie year before switching to No. 14. It wasn't until veteran quarterback Derek Carr's retirement would officially go through that the second-year cornerback could make the switch to No. 4. McKinstry wore No. 1 throughout his high school and college career. Advertisement The move was highly anticipated by fans as many viewed the No. 4 as a better fit for the second-year defensive back. The reactions to the switch have been overwhelmingly positive with one fan saying "You best believe that's Kool-Aid #4 getting bought and FRAMED" The No. 4 is most often worn by kickers, punters, and quarterbacks but a recent rule change on jersey numbers in 2021 allowed skill position players to wear single-digit numbers. This rule change has seen a significant number of players opting to wear lower-digit numbers. Similarly to McKinstry, Saints cornerback Alontae Taylor made a switch from No. 27 to No. 1 during his sophomore season. There's plenty of pressure on McKinstry to take a significant jump as he enters his second season. New Orleans is hoping the former Alabama cornerback can cement himself as the team's starting outside corner. McKinstry had a positive showing during his rookie campaign, but plenty of growing pains appeared on tape. With the number switch, McKinstry's sophomore campaign could be seen as a clean slate with a new look. Advertisement Related: New Orleans Saints Lead NFL in Cap Space Gained After June 1st Roster Moves Related: New Orleans Saints 2025 Preseason Schedule: Dates, Times, and Matchups Revealed This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 3, 2025, where it first appeared.
