Wednesday, April 15, 2026

112.3 Million People Watched Super Bowl LVI

  • NBCUniversal’s broadcast of Super Bowl LVI averaged 112.3 million viewers.
  • Viewership saw an increase from last year’s lackluster results.
Super-Bowl-Ratings
Kareem Elgazzar/USA TODAY NETWORK/Design: Alex Brooks

NBCUniversal’s broadcast of Super Bowl LVI between the Cincinnati Bengals and Los Angeles Rams averaged 112.3 million viewers, an improvement from last year’s lackluster results. 

Super Bowl LVI averaged 99.2 million viewers on NBC, with another 1.9 million viewers on Telemundo, the most-watched broadcast in five years.

Comcast’s streaming platform Peacock and co-viewing from connected devices averaged 11.2 million viewers, making Super Bowl LVI the most-streamed event ever

Super Bowl LVI continues the streak of improved ratings for the NFL.

  • Ratings for regular-season games were up 7% in 2021 compared to the 2020 season.
  • All three rounds of the playoffs saw ratings increase by at least 13%.
  • The AFC and NFC championships averaged 49 million viewers, up from 43 million last year. 

Last year’s Super Bowl LV only averaged 96.4 million viewers across all platforms — the smallest audience for the Big Game since 2007. 

Everybody Wins 

NBC’s broadcast of Super Bowl LVI also helped boost viewership for the Beijing Winter Olympics, which saw its largest audience immediately following the game.

An average of 21.3 million viewers tuned in to the Olympics on NBC after the Rams’ 23-20 win on Sunday night, nearly doubling the event’s previous high of 11.1 million viewers on Feb. 10.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sign up for
The Memo Newsletter

Get the biggest stories and best analysis on the business of sports delivered to your inbox twice every weekday and twice on weekends.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

blake griffin

Inside Blake Griffin’s Rookie Season at Prime Video

The six-time All-Star was initially hesitant to enter the media space.

NBA Playoffs Set to Leave Local TV Behind in Streaming-Heavy Shift

The league’s new TV deals introduce a stark reality.
Matthew Schaefer/Front Office Sports

Matthew Schaefer Has the Hockey World in His Thrall

The teenage Islanders defenseman cannon-balled into the NHL.

College Athletes Are Ignoring NCAA Gambling Bans

“We were going to bet regardless,” says one former D-I athlete.

Featured Today

Mar 28, 2026; Houston, TX, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini forward David Mirkovic (0) and center Tomislav Ivisic (13) react in the second half against the Iowa Hawkeyes during an Elite Eight game of the South Regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Toyota Center.
April 4, 2026

Loopholes Enable Int’l College Basketball Players to Cash In

Schools have scrambled to find a way to compensate international players.
April 1, 2026

‘The Sonics Never Died’: The Long Afterlife of Seattle NBA Merch

Inside “the largest team shop for a team that doesn’t exist.” 
Mar 27, 2026; Washington, DC, USA;UConn Huskies forward Tarris Reed Jr. (5) dunks the ball against the Michigan State Spartans in the second half during a Sweet Sixteen game of the East Regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Capital One Arena
March 28, 2026

March Madness Coaches Debate ‘Blueblood’ in NIL Era

The term’s meaning was up for debate at men’s March Madness.

Amazon Prime Crashes in Final Minute of Its Biggest NBA Game Yet

Viewers missed 22 critical seconds of the Hornets–Heat game.
Feb 10, 2022; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Dianna Russini appears on the red carpet prior to the NFL Honors awards presentation at YouTube Theater. Mandatory Credit:
April 14, 2026

Dianna Russini Resigns From The Athletic After Mike Vrabel Photos

The Athletic previously sidelined Russini from reporting as it investigated.
April 14, 2026

Rory Triumph Delivers 14M Masters Viewers for CBS, Most Since 2015

CBS peaked with more than 20 million viewers Sunday.
Sponsored

From Gold Medalist to Business Founder

Allyson Felix on investing in women’s sports and what comes next for track & LA28.
Apr 12, 2026; Augusta, Georgia, USA; Rory McIlroy celebrates after winning the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
April 14, 2026

Masters Disaster: Why CBS Sports’s Coverage Went Off The Rails

TV experts offer their theories on what went wrong.
ESPN's Jay Bilas speaks during ESPN's 'College GameDay' broadcast ahead of No. 4 Tennessee's basketball game against No. 10 Texas at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville, Tenn., on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023.
exclusive
April 13, 2026

Bilas to Fill Malone’s Role on ESPN NBA Playoff Coverage

Bilas will call playoff games alongside Ryan Ruocco.
opinion
April 12, 2026

Masters Sunday Was Rare Golf Stumble for CBS

Viewers were left hanging on the most important shot of the tournament.
Feb 10, 2022; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Dianna Russini appears on the red carpet prior to the NFL Honors awards presentation at YouTube Theater. Mandatory Credit:
exclusive
April 10, 2026

The Athletic Probing Dianna Russini Over Mike Vrabel Photos

The Athletic previously released a statement defending the NFL reporter.