Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl LIX halftime performance has been a focal point of discussion, with reports indicating a significant drop in viewership following his set. According to Forbes, the halftime show garnered 113 million viewers in 2025, a 6.2% decrease from the 120 million viewers in 2024.
Viewership Dynamics
The Super Bowl LIX broadcast averaged a record audience of 127.7 million viewers across television and streaming platforms. Notably, Kendrick Lamar’s halftime performance attracted 133.5 million viewers, making it the most-watched Super Bowl halftime show to date and marking a 3% increase from Usher’s performance the previous year.
Factors Influencing Post-Halftime Viewership Decline
Several elements may have contributed to the decline in viewership after the halftime show:
Game Competitiveness: The Philadelphia Eagles established a commanding 24-0 lead over the Kansas City Chiefs by halftime, potentially leading some viewers to conclude that the game’s outcome was already determined and opt to tune out.
Audience Engagement: Halftime shows often attract viewers who are more interested in the performance than the game itself. Once the performance concludes, these viewers may choose to discontinue watching.
Viewer Fatigue: The Super Bowl is a lengthy broadcast, and some viewers may have reached a saturation point by halftime, deciding to end their viewing session early.
Diverse Audience Reactions
Kendrick Lamar’s performance elicited mixed reactions from the audience. While some praised the artistic elements and the inclusion of special guests like Samuel L. Jackson, SZA, and Serena Williams, others felt the performance lacked the broad appeal characteristic of previous halftime shows.
Conclusion
The reported decline of 1.3 million viewers following Kendrick Lamar’s halftime performance underscores the complex interplay of factors influencing Super Bowl viewership. While the halftime show itself set a new viewership record, the subsequent decrease highlights the challenges in maintaining audience engagement throughout the entirety of the broadcast.
