How many people watch the Super Bowl Halftime Show every year?
The Super Bowl Halftime Show has become so huge that it sometimes attracts more viewers than the game itself. How many people watch the spectacle?
The Super Bowl Halftime Show is one of the most anticipated entertainment events of the year. Depending on the performers, some shows could even generate more interest than the game itself.
Last year’s numbers
With 121.017 million viewers, Rihanna’s 2023 performance during Super Bowl LVII is the most-watched Halftime Show in history. In contrast, the mid-game concert headlined by Dr. Dre, Snoop Dog, Mary J. Blige, Eminem, and Kendrick Lamar attracted a TV audience of 103.4 million.
Last year, @drdre, @maryjblige, @kendricklamar, @50cent, @Eminem and @SnoopDogg came together for Super Bowl LVI to give the world 'Dre Day', performing some of the biggest hits Dr. Dre he's ever produced 💎 pic.twitter.com/JFvBpWrgFk
— BBC Radio 1Xtra (@1Xtra) February 10, 2023
It’s safe to say that in recent history, audiences for halftime concerts hovered around the 100 million mark. In 2021, The Weeknd registered 96.7 million, slightly higher than the Super Bowl, which averaged 96.4 million viewers.
Shakira and J. Lo broke the internet
103 million viewers tuned in to watch the 2020′s critically acclaimed performance by Shakira and Jennifer Lopez, a few millions more than the 99.8 million who watched the game. It was also the show that was most streamed on YouTube, with 221 million viewers.
✨🎸 3 years ago today, Shakira took the stage at the #SuperBowl to celebrate her birthday!
— ShakiraMedia (@ShakiraMedia) February 2, 2023
Today, we commemorate her peerless career that has transcended borders – becoming a hopeful icon of global multiculturalism! pic.twitter.com/LvcVeVDXHZ
The honor of performing in the most highly viewed Halftime Show on TV belongs to Katy Perry, who rode in on a giant lion. She drew an unbelievable 118.5 million viewers in 2015.
Lady Gaga’s plunge
Lady Gaga is not far behind in second place, whose performance included jumping from the roof and catching a football in mid-air. She had no special guests and yet managed to hold the attention of 117.5 million people.
6 anos do ICÔNICO halftime show de Lady Gaga no #SuperBowl pic.twitter.com/NrWyE8KIuC
— Tracklist (@tracklist) February 5, 2023
The eternal soccer vs football debate
A decade of Super Bowl winners
Third on the list is Coldplay’s 2016 concert, which had a viewership of 115.5 million. However, he did get a little help from Beyoncé and Bruno Mars, and speaking of Mars, his 2014 performance ranks fourth on the list with 115.3 million viewers.
Rounding out the top five is Madonna, whose Halftime Show became the most-watched at the time. She arrived on a throne and captivated an audience of 114 million.