NFL says Super Bowl watched by 113 million viewers

[February 14, 2023]  LOS ANGELES (Reuters) -Sunday's Super Bowl attracted an average of 113 million viewers across traditional television and digital platforms, the National Football League said on Monday, citing preliminary data. 

Football - NFL - Super Bowl LVII - Half-Time Show - State Farm Stadium, Glendale, Arizona, United States - February 12, 2023 Rihanna performs during the halftime show REUTERS/Caitlin O'hara

The NFL said that figure represented a six-year high for its championship game, which this year was broadcast on the Fox TV network and streamed on Fox digital properties and NFL+.

The figures were based on early ratings data from Nielsen and Adobe Analytics. A final audience tally will be released by Nielsen on Tuesday, the NFL said. Last year, Nielsen reported an average audience of 101 million people for the contest.

The Super Bowl ranks as the most-watched event on U.S. television every year, though viewership has been dwindling since it peaked in 2015.

This year's matchup featured injured quarterback Patrick Mahomes leading the Kansas City Chiefs to a come-from-behind 38-35 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles.

Viewership increased during the halftime show starring pop and R&B superstar Rihanna, averaging 118 million people on TV and digital platforms, the NFL said.

(Reporting by Lisa Richwine and Dawn Chmielewski in Los Angeles;Editing by Matthew Lewis and Rosalba O'Brien)

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