Looks like Taylor Swift didn’t ruin the NFL after all. In fact, the NFL’s popularity seems to be reaching new heights. CBS recently announced that their Super Bowl LVIII broadcast drew 123.4 million average viewers across all platforms, making it the largest-ever audience for a single network.
The broadcast metrics included audiences that watched on CBS, Paramount+, Nickelodeon, Univision, and CBS Sports. With a reported 120 million viewers tuning into the main CBS broadcast, Super Bowl LVIII set additional records for the most-streamed Super Bowl in history and for drawing more than 200 million viewers to watch “all or part” of the game.
This news is a testament to the enduring popularity of the NFL in the United States. In 2023, 93 of the top 100 most-watched TV broadcasts in the U.S. were NFL games. This number is up from 2022, which already boasted an impressive market share of 82 of the top 100 U.S. broadcasts.
Not only do NFL games dominate the TV ratings, but Super Bowls take the lead in the most-watched broadcasts in U.S. history. Out of the top 30 broadcasts of all time, 29 are Super Bowls. The only exception is the M*A*S*H finale in 1983. Interestingly, each of the top 10 broadcasts has happened since 2010, with Super Bowl LVIII surpassing last year’s Super Bowl ratings by just over 8 million viewers.
These record-breaking numbers prove that the NFL’s popularity shows no signs of waning. Despite the ridiculous criticism of Taylor Swift’s relationship with Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce and its alleged effect on the game and league, the NFL has continued to thrive.
The future of the NFL looks bright, and the league’s dominance in TV ratings remains unchallenged. The only obstacle that might be left for the NFL to conquer is the moon landing. The 1969 event, which took place across multiple networks, is difficult to track in terms of viewership. Estimates suggest that anywhere from 125 to 150 million people watched Neil Armstrong’s historic moonwalk.
As the NFL continues to captivate audiences and break records, it solidifies its position as the premier sports league in the United States. Taylor Swift may be an influential figure in the music industry, but it seems her impact on the NFL is far from detrimental.
