Super Bowl LIX made history with a staggering 127.7 million viewers, setting a new record for the biggest TV event in the U.S. The game aired Sunday on Fox Sports and shattered previous records. The final numbers surpassed initial estimates of 126 million viewers, marking the second consecutive year of record-breaking Super Bowl viewership.
More than just a game
Fox Sports saw a major boost in streaming numbers. The game drew 13.6 million viewers on Tubi, its free streaming platform, and another 14.5 million when including NFL digital platforms. This surpassed the previous streaming record of 11.2 million set in 2022. The Spanish-language broadcast on Telemundo and Fox Deportes added another 1.87 million viewers to the total.
A blowout, but it didn’t matter
Despite a lopsided score of 40-22, fans didn’t tune out. The Philadelphia Eagles dominated the Kansas City Chiefs from the start. At one point, the Eagles led 34-0, and even though the Chiefs scored two late touchdowns, the game was never in doubt. The high level of viewership held steady throughout the game.
Halftime show boosts numbers
Viewership peaked during the second quarter, from 8-8:15 p.m. ET, when the Eagles were building a massive lead. A total of 135.7 million viewers tuned in. The halftime show, featuring Kendrick Lamar, kept fans glued to their screens. Lamar’s performance, including his hit “Not Like Us,” helped maintain strong viewership, averaging 133.5 million viewers across all platforms—up from 129.3 million last year.
Streaming’s massive rise
The surge in streaming was undeniable. Tubi’s 13.6 million viewers were nearly double the audience Fox garnered on its platform in 2023. This was the first time a Super Bowl was streamed for free on a major platform, and it attracted millions of new viewers. It’s clear that free streaming is the future for big events like this.
After the game, Fox aired the premiere of The Floor. The show attracted 14 million viewers, making it the most-watched episode ever. However, this was still a historic low for post-Super Bowl programming. The previous low was 15.66 million for Next Level Chef in 2023.
Super Bowl 2025: A new era of viewing
With record-breaking numbers across the board, Super Bowl LIX is a clear indication that the way we watch events is changing. The dominance of streaming is evident, and Fox’s ability to draw millions to both its traditional and digital platforms shows the future is here. The Eagles may have won the game, but Fox certainly won the viewership battle.
