Thursday, May 14, 2026

Upon Further Review, Super Bowl LVII Most-Watched of All Time

  • Fox sets new record with 115.1 million viewers.
  • Nielsen revised TV numbers after uncovering irregularities.
Super Bowl LVII breaks viewing record.
Syndication: Arizona Republic

Fox Sports announced that its broadcast of Super Bowl LVII set an all-time record as the most-watched Super Bowl in history. 

The Kansas City Chiefs’ comeback 38-35 win over the Philadelphia Eagles averaged 115.1 million viewers across Fox, Fox Deportes, and digital streaming services, according to updated figures from Nielsen — topping the previous record of 114.4 million viewers for NBC Sports’ 2015 coverage of the New England Patriots’ win over the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XLIX. 

Fox previously pegged viewership for February’s game at 113 million viewers. With the updated figure, Fox’s audience rose 2% over the 112.3 million for NBC’s broadcast of Super Bowl LVI last year.

Photo composition of Patrick Mahomes and Jalen Hurts

Mahomes, Hurts Set to Make Super Bowl History and Cash In

Super Bowl LVII will be the first with two Black starting quarterbacks.
February 5, 2023

Nielsen is issuing the new record number after addressing irregularities in the encoding that enables Nielsen’s measurement of TV viewing and unspecified issues with out-of-home measurement of Super Bowl LVII. 

With the change, the top five most-watched Super Bowl of all time are: Super Bowl LVII (Fox,115.1M); Super Bowl XLIX (NBC, 114.4M); Super Bowl LVII (Fox, 113M); Super Bowl XLVIII (Fox, 112.7M); and Super Bowl 50 (CBS, 111.9M). 

Ironically, Michael Mulvihill, Fox’s head of strategy analytics, predicted before the big game that Chiefs-Eagles would set a record — and even correctly called those 115 million viewers.

Fox’s Cowboys-Giants Thanksgiving Day telecast in 2022 was the most-watched regular-season game ever, averaging 42 million viewers, and NBC’s “Sunday Night Football” finished as the No. 1 show in prime time for a record 12th straight season.

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

Netflix Deepens Its NFL Ties With Expanded Five-Game Package

The streaming giant significantly increased its presence with the league.
opinion

NFL Should Release Audio on Crucial Replay Decisions

The ACC let viewers in the replay booth last fall.
TNT Sports

WBD Leans Further Into Sports With Paramount Deal Looming

The TNT Sports parent company pushes ahead with its own programming plans.
Apex, NC - February 15, 2026: Portrait of the Super Bowl LXI 61 Football.

ESPN Wants Its First Super Bowl to Be the Most-Watched Ever

Fox’s broadcast of Super Bowl LIX holds the current record.

Featured Today

How Sports Graphic Designers Are Grappling With the Rise of AI Art

The release of ChatGPT 2.0 Images sparked a conversation among sports designers.
May 12, 2026

Collectible Cups Are Sending Sports Fans Into a Frenzy

The drink is secondary to the wild vessel it comes in.
Matt Palumb
May 8, 2026

Pro Lacrosse’s Top Ref Is As Famous As the Players

The last celebrity referee is in the Premier Lacrosse League.
May 2, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta United midfielder Saba Lobjanidze (11) reacts to his goal against the CF Montréal in the first half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit
May 7, 2026

How Atlanta Unexpectedly Became the Epicenter of U.S. Soccer

U.S. Soccer is opening a new national HQ in Georgia.
Los Angeles, CA - May 8, 2026 - LAPC: Stephen A Smith and Skip Bayless on the set of First Take.

‘First Take’ Ratings Up 24% for Skip Bayless Return

The episode marked Bayless’s first ESPN appearance in a decade.
May 13, 2026

NFL International Slate Gives Legacy Networks Bigger Stage

Legacy broadcast networks are core to this part of the schedule.
Mar 15, 2025; Charlotte, NC, USA; ACC commissioner Jim Phillips hands the championship trophy to Duke Blue Devils head coach Jon Scheyer after the 2025 ACC Conference Championship game against the Louisville Cardinals at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images
May 13, 2026

ACC Backs Duke-Amazon Deal Despite Big Ten Concerns

ACC commissioner Jim Phillips revealed ESPN was involved in the discussions.
Sponsored

What Is It Like to Run the Knicks?

Dave Checketts on his time running the Knicks & Jazz, Jordan war stories, and his investment strategy across major sports leagues.
[US, Mexico & Canada customers only] Feb 8, 2026; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike MacDonald on the sideline against the New England Patriots during Super Bowl LX at Levi's Stadium.
May 12, 2026

Super Bowl LXI Gets the Star Treatment at Disney Upfronts

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell appears at the network’s upfront presentation.
Feb 6, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; A NFL shield logo on an Honors trophy at the Super Bowl LIX NFL Honors at Saenger Theatre. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
exclusive
May 12, 2026

NFL Honors Expected to Move to Netflix

The NFL’s annual awards show is moving to streaming.
Packers fans watch as the 49ers celebrate one of their touchdowns on a giant TV screen at Mecca Sports Bar and Grill on Jan. 19, 2020.
May 12, 2026

NFL Schedule Tweaks Continue Erosion of Sunday’s Witching Hour

More standalone windows mean less inventory for “NFL RedZone.”
May 12, 2026

NFL Spotlights Legacy Networks As D.C. Streaming Criticism Mounts

Fox, NBC, and CBS each gained additional national broadcast windows.