Super Bowl Viewership Records: Most-Watched Games Ever

The Super Bowl is the most-watched television event in the United States every year without exception. Since the first Super Bowl in 1967, viewership has grown from 26 million to over 120 million. Here is the complete story of Super Bowl viewership records.

All-Time Viewership Record

Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas (2024) set the all-time US viewership record with approximately 123.4 million viewers across CBS, Paramount+, and Univision. This surpassed the previous record set by Super Bowl XLIX in 2015 (114.4 million). Each of the last five Super Bowls has been among the 10 most-watched programs in US television history.

Historical Growth

Super Bowl I (1967) drew 26.8 million viewers — enormous by 1967 standards, but a fraction of modern numbers. Viewership grew steadily through the 1970s and 1980s as the NFL expanded its television reach. By Super Bowl XVI in 1982, the game was drawing 49 million viewers. Super Bowl XXVIII in 1994 crossed 90 million. The 100 million threshold was first crossed with Super Bowl XLIV in 2010.

International Viewership

Beyond US viewership, the Super Bowl is broadcast in over 180 countries with a cumulative global audience estimated at 150–200 million per year. The NFL has significantly expanded its international media rights deals, and markets including Mexico, Germany, the UK, Brazil, and Canada have shown strong viewership growth.

Streaming Era Viewership

As cord-cutting has accelerated, the NFL has adapted by ensuring its rights deal includes streaming alongside broadcast TV. Peacock's streaming of Super Bowl LVIII helped set the record by adding millions of streaming-only viewers to the broadcast total for the first time in official counting methods. Future Super Bowls will likely see streaming's share continue to grow. For more on how to watch, see our Super Bowl watching guide and Super Bowl streaming guide.