Super Bowl LX saw a total viewership of 124.9 million across NBC, Peacock, and Telemundo, a minor reduction compared to the record set in the prior year. Despite this slight decline in overall average viewers, the broadcast notably achieved a historic peak viewership of 137.8 million during the second quarter, marking it as the most-watched segment in U.S. television history. Telemundo's Spanish-language broadcast also set a new milestone, attracting 3.3 million viewers and becoming the highest-rated Super Bowl in U.S. Spanish-language television history. The post-Super Bowl coverage of the Winter Olympics also garnered significant attention, indicating a strong viewership for NBCUniversal's combined programming.
Super Bowl LX Draws 124.9 Million Viewers, Setting Peak Audience Records
On Sunday, February 8, 2026, the highly anticipated Super Bowl LX, broadcast jointly by NBC, Peacock, and Telemundo, captured the attention of an impressive 124.9 million viewers. This grand event featured a compelling matchup between the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots, culminating in a 29-13 victory for the Seahawks, securing their second Super Bowl title. While this figure represents a slight downturn from the 127.7 million viewers who tuned into the previous year's Super Bowl, it nonetheless positions Super Bowl LX as the second-most-watched program in the annals of U.S. television history, according to the Nielsen Big Data+Panel statistics. A significant highlight occurred between 7:45 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. ET, during the second quarter of the game, when viewership soared to an extraordinary peak of 137.8 million, establishing a new record for the highest peak audience ever recorded in U.S. television. This phenomenal peak also marks the most-watched broadcast in NBCUniversal's history. The halftime show, headlined by global superstar Bad Bunny, drew an average of 128.2 million viewers. Although this was slightly less than Kendrick Lamar's performance in the previous year, it still underscores the immense appeal of the Super Bowl's entertainment offerings. Furthermore, Telemundo's Spanish-language broadcast of Super Bowl LX made history by attracting 3.3 million viewers, reaching a peak of 4.8 million during Bad Bunny's halftime spectacle, thus becoming the most-watched Super Bowl in U.S. Spanish-language television history. Following the game, NBC's broadcast of "Primetime in Milan" and "Milan Prime," as part of its Winter Olympics coverage, averaged 42 million viewers. This remarkable lead-in audience represents the best Winter Games viewership for NBC since the second day of the 2014 Sochi Olympics and a significant 73% increase over the post-Super Bowl LVI Beijing Olympics show in 2022. Rick Cordella, President of NBC Sports, emphasized the unparalleled power of the Super Bowl and the Olympics, commending the dedicated production, technical, and broadcast teams for delivering exceptional presentations.
The slightly lower overall average viewership for Super Bowl LX compared to the previous year prompts a deeper reflection on evolving viewing habits and media consumption. While the event still commands an enormous audience, the subtle shift suggests a potential fragmentation of the audience across various platforms or an increased competition for viewers' attention in the rapidly changing media landscape. However, the record-breaking peak viewership and the historic success of the Telemundo broadcast highlight the enduring power and broad appeal of live sports, particularly culturally significant events like the Super Bowl. It reinforces the idea that despite changing trends, events that offer collective experiences and compelling narratives continue to draw massive engagement, both in English and Spanish-speaking communities. The success of the Winter Olympics lead-in also underscores the strategic value of such major events in bolstering viewership for subsequent programming, demonstrating how live sports can act as a powerful catalyst for audience retention and cross-promotion in a competitive media environment.