Bad Bunny's Super Bowl Halftime Performance Draws Massive Audience Numbers
Bad Bunny's highly anticipated halftime show during last Sunday's Super Bowl has delivered impressive viewership results, according to recent reports. The Puerto Rican rapper's performance averaged 128.2 million viewers during its 8:15-8:30 p.m. ET broadcast window, establishing it as a significant television event that captivated audiences across North America and beyond.
Historic Viewership Rankings and Comparisons
The 128.2 million viewer average places Bad Bunny's show as the fourth-most watched halftime performance in Super Bowl history. This achievement puts him behind only Kendrick Lamar (133.5 million viewers in 2025), Michael Jackson (133.4 million viewers in 1993), and Usher (129.3 million viewers in 2024). Full global viewership statistics for the halftime extravaganza are expected to be released early next week, potentially revealing even more impressive numbers.
Meanwhile, the game itself between the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots attracted substantial attention, averaging 124.9 million viewers. This makes it the second-most watched Super Bowl broadcast ever, trailing only last year's matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles according to ESPN analyst Adam Schefter.
Stark Contrast with Alternative Programming
Bad Bunny's mainstream success stood in sharp contrast to Kid Rock's competing halftime show broadcast on Turning Point USA. The pre-recorded alternative performance, described by Variety as a MAGA-friendly production, drew approximately 4.3 million viewers during its half-hour timeslot according to the San Francisco Chronicle.
This represents a dramatic viewership disparity, with Bad Bunny's show attracting nearly thirty times more viewers than the alternative programming. Kid Rock's "The All-American Halftime Show on X" encountered technical difficulties, with Turning Point announcing just two hours before Bad Bunny's performance that licensing issues prevented streaming on the X platform, redirecting viewers to YouTube instead.
Star-Studded Performance and Political Reactions
Bad Bunny's halftime spectacle featured several high-profile cameos that contributed to its broad appeal. The performance included appearances from pop icon Lady Gaga, rapper Cardi B, actor Pedro Pascal, actress Jessica Alba, and Atlanta Braves slugger Ronald Acuna Jr.
The show generated immediate political commentary, with former U.S. President Donald Trump taking to Truth Social to express his disapproval. Trump characterized the performance as "one of the worst, EVER!" and criticized both the lyrical content and choreography, suggesting it was inappropriate for young viewers and represented a "slap in the face" to American values.
Despite this criticism, the viewership numbers clearly demonstrate Bad Bunny's ability to attract a massive mainstream audience during one of television's most-watched annual events, solidifying his position as a global entertainment powerhouse.
