(LOOTPRESS) – Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime performance drew an average of 128.2 million viewers on Sunday, making it one of the most-watched halftime shows in history and surpassing the game’s overall average audience.
According to Nielsen ratings, the halftime show audience exceeded the Super Bowl’s average of 124.9 million viewers. However, it fell short of last year’s record-setting performance by Kendrick Lamar, which reached 133.5 million viewers. Before Lamar, Usher held the halftime viewership record for his 2024 show.
Digital engagement around the performance surged across social platforms. Data from Ripple Analytics shows total social media consumption — including content from fans, official accounts, broadcast partners, and influencers — reached four billion views within 24 hours, marking a 137% increase over last year.
The NFL reported that its three most-viewed social media posts of all time now come from Bad Bunny’s halftime show. The top clip, titled “Only Thing More Powerful Than Hate Is Love,” reached 179 million views on Instagram. Two additional moments — featuring Bad Bunny listing countries across the Americas before spiking a football — drew 168 million Instagram views and 100 million views on TikTok.
Streaming also spiked following the performance. Apple Music reported that Bad Bunny’s song plays increased sevenfold after the show, led by tracks including “DtMF,” “BAILE INOLVIDABLE,” and “Tití Me Preguntó.”
The NFL said more than half of halftime-related social media views came from international audiences. Global television viewership totals are expected to be released soon and could significantly raise the overall audience figure.
The halftime show generated discussion months ahead of the Super Bowl due to Bad Bunny’s global popularity and commentary surrounding his emphasis on Puerto Rican heritage. A conservative organization, Turning Point USA, staged an alternative halftime livestream event headlined by Kid Rock. That stream peaked at 6.1 million YouTube viewers and has since reached 21 million total views, compared with 57 million YouTube views for Bad Bunny’s halftime performance.
The show featured large-scale staging, celebrity guest appearances, stunt segments, and a live on-field wedding ceremony.
