• Loading stock data...
Tuesday, September 16, 2025

Alternate Super Bowl Broadcast Could Boost NFL’s Record Ratings

  • Super Bowl LVIII was the first with an alternate broadcast presentation.
  • In February, two broadcasters will air the game in Spanish for the first time.
Feb 14, 2024; Kansas City, MO, USA; The Kansas City Chiefs logos at midfield and end zone at Arrowhead Stadium at the Truman Sports Complex.
Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

In February, a Super Bowl–record 123.4 million people watched the Chiefs beat the 49ers 25–22 in overtime to secure Kansas City’s second consecutive Lombardi Trophy. In four months, yet another innovation from the NFL could help bring in even more viewers.

Of course, Super Bowl LVIII had the ultimate on-field drama and culminated the season of Taylor Swift, who was in attendance in Las Vegas supporting her boyfriend, Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce. But it was also the first Super Bowl to feature an alternate broadcast on another channel besides that year’s main network partner. Paramount’s kid-friendly Nickelodeon had its own presentation of Super Bowl LVIII alongside CBS.

The game was also available to stream on Paramount+, NFL+, and CBS Sports and league digital platforms, in addition to a Spanish-language broadcast on Univision (which had a licensing deal with Paramount). That last part is key, as Super Bowl LIX will see the NFL bring the alt-cast strategy to another language.

While Tom Brady will be heard by the 100 million–plus audience tuning in to Fox on Feb. 9, Spanish-speaking viewers for the first time will have two options to watch, instead of one. Fox and NBCUniversal worked out a deal to produce two separate broadcasts that will air on Fox Deportes and Telemundo, both of which have previously aired Super Bowls.

Univision drew a Spanish-language record of 2.3 million viewers for Chiefs-49ers. That’s a small number in the wider Super Bowl lens, but still growth over the 1.9 million the year prior on Telemundo, which is scheduled to have Spanish-language rights in February 2026.

Continuing the English-language alt-cast trend in 2027, ESPN is planning to produce a ManningCast for Super Bowl LXI. Through five weeks of the regular season, NFL game broadcasts were averaging 17.5 million viewers, up 1% from the same time frame in 2023.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Dec 25, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Netflix Christmas GameDay cake seen after the Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium.

‘We Didn’t Get a Test Run’: Greg Olsen on Netflix NFL Christmas..

The Ravens–Texans game was “a nightmare scenario for the booth.”

Pitaro: ESPN, MLB Making Progress on New Deal Talks

The network and league ended their deal earlier this year.
Charles Barkley

Charles Barkley Says TNT Sports ‘Just Sucks.’ Its CEO Doesn’t Mind

Barkley recently criticized TNT’s handling of “Inside the NBA.”
exclusive

ESPN, Fox One Added 1M Sign-Ups in First 10 Days After Launch

The two high-profile streaming services have strong starts with consumers.

Featured Today

Premier Lacrosse League

‘The Circus Is Coming to Town’: Why Upstart Leagues Start on Tour

In their ambitious plans, a traveling schedule is only temporary.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 19: A detailed view of the MLB Debut patch on the jersey of Patrick Monteverde #44 of the Miami Marlins prior to game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on April 19, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
September 13, 2025

The Tiny Jersey Patch at the Center of the MLB Rookie Card..

Autographed cards containing a piece of baseball history have upended the market.
September 11, 2025

Eagles-Chiefs Super Bowl Rematch Could Set More NFL Ratings Records

Fox will nationally televise Sunday afternoon’s matchup.
September 10, 2025

ESPN’s ‘MNF’ Ratings Up 8% As NFL Surges to Strong Start

ESPN posts its second-best Week 1 “Monday Night Football” audience.
Greg Olsen

Greg Olsen on Tom Brady’s Raiders Role: ‘More Power to Him’

This season, the NFL has relaxed the special Brady broadcasting rules.
Green Bay Packers cornerback Keisean Nixon (25) breaks up a pass intended for Washington Commanders wide receiver Noah Brown (85) on Thursday, September 11, 2025, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. The Packers won the game, 27-18.
September 15, 2025

Amazon Shatters Previous Ratings High for 1st NFL Game

“TNF” viewership surges 35% compared to the 2024 season average.
Jul 27, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Injured Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) looks on from the bench during the first half of a basketball game against the Chicago Sky at United Center.
September 15, 2025

WNBA Ratings Rise 3% in 2025 Despite Clark’s Absence

Caitlin Clark played in just 13 of 44 regular-season games.
Sponsored

How World Series Champ Dexter Fowler Became a Premier League Team Owner

Dexter Fowler discusses navigating retirement and embracing new roles as an owner & investor.
Las Vegas Aces
September 15, 2025

WNBA Playoffs Face ESPN Fall Crunch For Final Time

The games will be spread across three networks next year.
September 15, 2025

Chiefs’ Fall to 0–2 Dims the Spotlight on NFL’s Top TV Draw

The NFL’s most-watched team sinks to a new low since Patrick Mahomes arrived.
Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Arvell Reese (8) pursues Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) during the NCAA football game at Ohio Stadium on Aug. 30, 2025.
September 12, 2025

College Football Enters Week 3 Up 21% in TV Ratings

Total college football viewership across all networks is up big.
Sep 6, 2025; Boulder, Colorado, USA; General view of a Fox Sports camera station before the game between the Delaware Fightin Blue Hens against the Colorado Buffaloes at Folsom Field.
September 11, 2025

Lachlan Murdoch on Fox’s Sports Strategy, FanDuel Plans

The executive calls a forthcoming streaming bundle with ESPN “essential” for fans.