Super Bowl LVIII Sets TV Ratings Record, Draws Massive Viewership
The Chiefs beating the 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII put up historic TV ratings.
Patrick Mahomes and company beat Brock Purdy and the 49ers 25-22 in overtime to secure the Lombardi Trophy in a great game that still has people talking.
As we all know, the Super Bowl draws monster viewership numbers. It's the biggest sporting event of the year. Add in the extra element of Taylor Swift, and it certainly seemed like this year's game hit a new level. So, how many people watched? The number was nothing short of downright shocking.
Super Bowl LVIII puts up historic ratings.
The game is officially the most-watched telecast in history after averaging a staggering 123.4 million viewers across all platforms, according to a release from CBS Sports. The CBS broadcast draw 120 million viewers and it was also the most-streamed Super Bowl in league history.
In total, more than 200 million people tuned in for at least part of the game, according to the same release.
People might say they're tired of Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce and the Chiefs - and for good reason - but the league loves this kind of attention.
Whether people are watching to cheer against the Chiefs or to support Mahomes, they're watching. That's all that matters to Roger Goodell and networks at the end of the day.
The league is probably popping bottles of champagne to celebrate Super Bowl LVIII being the most-watched telecast in American history.
Super Bowl LVIII puts up historic ratings. (Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports)
What impact did Taylor Swift have?
Some readers might not want to hear it, but the question simply must be asked. How much of a role did Taylor Swift play in the record ratings?
Last year's game between the Chiefs and Eagles drew north of 115 million viewers on Fox and digital platforms.
The game this year had a significant increase, and it's hard to believe T-Swift fans who otherwise wouldn't have cared didn't play a role. The league and CBS 100% loved that Swift was at Allegiant Stadium. She was trending on social media, was shown on the broadcast multiple times - including as soon as the Chiefs won - and some fans were only watching for her.
While it will be impossible to ever know for sure what kind of bump she provided, it seems reasonable to believe interest in Swift absolutely moved the needle.
Did Taylor Swift give the Super Bowl a ratings boost? (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Business is booming for the NFL. Football is rolling in America, and there's simply no other way to frame it. Let me know your thoughts on the game at David.Hookstead@outkick.com.