Whether you tuned in for the football, Usher’s halftime show, or the Taylor Swift sightings, Super Bowl 58 delivered.
The big game between the Chiefs and 49ers did not disappoint on any level, drawing the highest viewership in Super Bowl history.
Kansas City needed a double-digit comeback and overtime to claim its second consecutive championship, as Super Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes marched the Chiefs down the field and found Mecole Hardman for the game-winning touchdown.
Superstar tight end Travis Kelce performed on and off the field, leading Kansas City with nine receptions for 93 yards before stealing the spotlight with another loud postgame interview and a kiss for Swift — the intimate moment a large chunk of the viewers were waiting for.
Even Usher’s halftime show lived up to expectations, running through his catalog of timeless hits while bringing out a list of stars from Alicia Keys to Ludacris and more.
The combination of all of these storylines resulted in the most-watched live television event in United States history.
MORE: Super Bowl 2024 winners and losers: The Chiefs are in their dynasty era
How many people watched Super Bowl 58?
The Chiefs vs. 49ers Super Bowl drew 123.4 million average viewers on Sunday — the most-watched game in NFL history, up seven percent from last year’s Super Bowl.
CBS also claimed it is the most-watched telecast ever.
CBS Sports’ presentation of Super Bowl LVIII is the most-watched telecast in history with a total audience delivery of 123.4 million average viewers across platforms.
Link to Release: https://t.co/DHc9XPBwSn pic.twitter.com/GR3w2hbBwn
— CBS Sports PR (@CBSSportsGang) February 13, 2024
The pregame storylines roped viewers in from the start, from Patrick Mahomes looking to cement himself in the GOAT conversation to Kelce and his evolving love life with megastar Swift, which drew in a demographic the NFL has never reached before.
MORE: Taylor Swift’s best moments at Super Bowl 58
The game itself kept viewers around. The 49ers jumped out to a double-digit lead, but there were six lead changes and two ties, leading to overtime to decide the outcome. Even in the extra period, San Francisco took a three-point lead and only needed one stop to win the Super Bowl, but it couldn’t prevent Mahomes from doing what he does best.
Usher’s halftime show was also a draw, headlining an R&B and pop star who transcends multiple generations with hits that can be recalled by both young and old.
Super Bowl 58 was the perfect storm for the NFL, and the viewership numbers reflected that.
Most watched Super Bowls ever
Official viewership
| Year | Matchup | Network | Views (millions) |
| 2024 | Chiefs 25, 49ers 22 (OT) | CBS | 123.4 |
| 2015 | Patriots 28, Seahawks 24 | NBC | 114.44 |
| 2023 | Chiefs 38, Eagles 35 | Fox | 114.21 |
| 2014 | Seahawks 43, Broncos 8 | Fox | 112.19 |
| 2016 | Broncos 24, Panthers 10 | CBS | 111.86 |
TV ratings
| Year | Matchup | Network | Rating |
| 1982 | 49ers 26, Bengals 21 | CBS | 49.1 |
| 1983 | Redskins 27, Dolphins 17 | NBC | 48.6 |
| 1986 | Bears 46, Patriots 10 | NBC | 48.3 |
| 2015 | Patriots 28, Seahawks 24 | NBC | 47.5 |
| 1978 | Cowboys 27, Broncos 10 | CBS | 47.2 |
Total across all platforms
| Year | Matchup | Network | Views (millions) |
| 2024 | Chiefs 25, 49ers 22 (OT) | CBS | 202.4 |
| 2017 | Patriots 34, Falcons 28 | Fox | 126.3 |
| 2018 | Eagles 41, Patriots 33 | NBC | 119.9 |
| 2020 | Chiefs 31, 49ers 20 | Fox | 118.5 |
| 2015 | Patriots 28, Seahawks 24 | NBC | 115.8 |
