Super Bowl LX vs. Bad Bunny: Why 128.2 Million Watched Him Instead—You Won't Believe the Shock!

Super Bowl LX, while not breaking last year's record, still attracted a staggering average of 124.9 million viewers across NBC's platforms, down by 2.8 million compared to the previous year. This marks it as the second most-watched Super Bowl in U.S. history. The game peaked in the second quarter, reaching 137.8 million viewers, setting a new record for peak viewership in U.S. television history.

Bad Bunny's halftime show, which celebrated Puerto Rican culture through vibrant performances of his Spanish-language hits, reached 128.2 million viewers. This figure fell short by 5.3 million compared to Kendrick Lamar's halftime performance last year, which remains the most-watched halftime show ever. The popular artist, named the most-streamed artist by Spotify in 2025, also featured a couple legally married during the performance. However, the show drew criticism from former President Donald Trump, who labeled it "disgusting" on social media.

The slight dip in viewership for this Super Bowl may reflect a less-than-exciting game, which lacked star power and memorable moments. Notably absent were marquee players like Tom Brady and Patrick Mahomes, and the lack of offensive excitement contributed to a perception of a listless matchup. Had the game featured a more competitive atmosphere, it’s conceivable that viewership might have surpassed last year's record of 127.7 million viewers for the Super Bowl on Fox, particularly given the NFL’s persistent popularity and the improved audience tracking methodology implemented by ratings partner Nielsen in 2025.

Interestingly, this year’s game made history as the most-watched Super Bowl in U.S. Spanish-language history, averaging 3.3 million viewers on Telemundo, peaking at 4.8 million viewers during halftime. The broadcast also benefited from the unique winter conditions surrounding the event, which is typically the most significant television event of the year, alongside the concurrent Winter Olympics, which tends to attract casual sports fans.

Another factor potentially affecting viewership was a competing event, a concert led by Kid Rock through Turning Point USA, which claimed up to 6 million concurrent viewers on YouTube, although this figure has not been verified through an industry-standard measurement system. As of Tuesday, the archived video of Bad Bunny's halftime performance on the NFL's YouTube channel had garnered more than 57 million views, while Turning Point's concert had 21 million views.

Despite not reaching the heights of last season, the NFL's overall viewership during the 2025 season was the second-best since monitoring began in 1988, averaging 18.7 million viewers for season-long ratings. This data reinforces the NFL's dominance in the sports and entertainment spheres, with the Super Bowl expected to remain the highest-rated program of the year, as it consistently has in the past.

What It Means for the NFL

While the Super Bowl LX ratings demonstrate the NFL's enduring appeal, the game did not live up to the excitement of previous matchups. Factors contributing to the slight drop include a lackluster game performance, absence of household names, and a halftime show that, despite its cultural significance and popularity, could not rival last year's record-breaking performance. Nonetheless, Bad Bunny's performance did showcase the NFL's efforts to expand its reach and connect with diverse audiences, a strategy likely to continue as the league aims for greater international appeal.

Ultimately, while the 124.9 million viewers may not surpass the record, the NFL once again proves its unmatched capacity to captivate audiences, leaving every other sports league envious of its reach and influence. Whether through thrilling games, star-studded halftime shows, or innovative broadcasting strategies, the NFL remains a powerhouse in American sports culture.