Number of Americans Planning to Watch Super Bowl Up – Taylor Swift Effect?

21 Percent Say Taylor Swift’s Presence Influencing Decision to Watch, Number Rises to 41% for 18-34 Year-Olds

Nearly ¾ Pay More Attention to Super Bowl Commercials, More than Half Plan to Discuss on Social Media

Sports Betting on Super Bowl Slightly Down

 

SOUTH ORANGE, N.J. February 7, 2024 – Super Bowl LVIII could be the most-watched in the game’s history with 72 percent of Americans saying they will tune in to the sports and entertainment extravaganza. That number is up six points from 66 percent in 2023, nine points from 63 percent in 2022 and 14 points from 58 percent in 2021.

 

On which device, if at all, will you be watching the 2024 Super Bowl this year?

General

Population

2024

General

Population

2023

General

Population

2022

General

Population

2021

TV only 52% 47% 46% 46%
Non-TV device(s) 6% 7% 8% 4%
Both 14% 12% 9% 8%
Not applicable 28% 34% 37% 42%

 

Asked if they thought the presence of Taylor Swift had anything to do with their decision or the decision of anyone in their household to watch the big game, 21 percent of Americans said yes. Among the vaunted 18-34 year-old demographic that number almost doubled to 41 percent.

“From a marketing perspective, the NFL and its advertisers couldn’t do any better,” said marketing Professor Daniel Ladik, chief methodologist for the poll. “The viewership for this game is on a seemingly inexorable march toward more viewers, and this year Taylor Swift may be playing the role of drum major – at least for 18-34 year olds, a market that almost everyone covets.”

Will you or anyone in your household’s decision to watch the game be influenced by Taylor Swift’s attendance at the game?

N=1,523

 

General

Pop

Female Male 18 -34 35 -54 55+ NFL Fan Non

NFL Fan

Sports

Fan*

Non Fan Avid

Fan

Casual

Fan

Yes 21% 19% 23% 41% 18% 7% 28% 10% 28% 9% 35% 25%
No 72% 73% 70% 51% 73% 87% 68% 77% 68% 78% 62% 71%
DK/NO 7% 8% 7% 8% 9% 6% 4% 13% 4% 13% 3% 4%

 

Chiefs or 49ers?
More Americans say they will be rooting for the Kansas City Chiefs (28% general population – 38% of NFL fans – 36% of sports Fans – 39% of avid fans) than the San Francisco 49ers (23% general population – 31% of NFL fans – 31% of sports Fans – 35% of avid fans). Swift is well known to be a strong supporter of the Chiefs.

These were among the findings of a Seton Hall Sports Poll conducted last month among 1,509 adults across the country. The poll featured a national representative sample from YouGov weighted on U.S. Census Bureau figures for gender, age, ethnicity, education, income and geography and has a margin of error of +/- 3 percent.

 

Game, Halftime or Commercials?

Slightly less than half of those watching say they look forward most to the game itself at 49 percent. The halftime show and commercials combine as favorites for 46 percent (halftime 25 percent, commercials 21) and the remaining 5 percent of those who will be watching say they do not know or hold no opinion.

 

Which part of the Super Bowl broadcast do you look forward to the most, the game, the halftime show, or the commercials?

N=1,101

 

General

Population

NFL Fan Non NFL Fan Sports

Fan*

Non Fan Avid

Fan

Casual

Fan

Game 49% 58% 16% 57% 16% 63% 55%
Halftime show 25% 22% 36% 21% 38% 19% 22%
Commercials 21% 17% 35% 17% 34% 13% 19%
Don’t know/No opinion 5% 3% 13% 5% 12% 5% 4%

 

Is Halftime too Long? How About Entertainment Extravaganzas for Other Sports?

Given that 25 percent say they most look forward to the big game’s halftime, perhaps unsurprisingly only 29 percent say the Super Bowl halftime is too long (it is 10 minutes longer than the usual NFL halftime length), while 49 percent say it is not too long.  In fact, satisfaction with the Super Bowl half time show is so high that 35 percent of the general population and 44 percent of sports fans think that other sports should add major entertainment extravaganzas to their championship games.

“The NFL has leveraged their sport well into the realm of popular entertainment,” said Professor Charles Grantham, Director of the Center for Sport Management within Seton Hall’s Stillman School of Business, which sponsors the Poll. “The Super Bowl is a cultural spectacle that approaches an unofficial public holiday that actually spurs the economy after the post-Christmas lull. Although logistically challenging, other leagues may wish to begin likewise leveraging their championships.”

Do you think the Super Bowl halftime is too long?

N=1,523

 

General

Population

NFL Fan Non NFL Fan Sports

Fan*

Non Fan Avid

Fan

Casual

Fan

Yes 29% 36% 18% 36% 17% 42% 33%
No 49% 56% 39% 54% 41% 50% 56%
Don’t know/No opinion 22% 8% 43% 10% 42% 8% 11%

 

Do you think other sports should add major entertainment extravaganzas to their championship games?

N=1,523

 

General

Population

NFL Fan Non NFL Fan Sports

Fan*

Non Fan Avid

Fan

Casual

Fan

Yes 35% 48% 17% 44% 10% 54% 40%
No 36% 34% 40% 38% 34% 33% 40%
Don’t know/No opinion 29% 18% 43% 18% 46% 13% 20%

 

How Will You Watch? Second Screen Viewing Rises Again

TV still reigns as the device of choice for Americans, with 52 percent of those queried saying it will be their only means of viewing. The interesting trend, however, is the rise of what is known as second-screen viewing, with 14 percent saying they will do so. Only 8 percent said they would use a second screen in 2021, 9 percent in 2022 and 12 percent in 2023.

For 2024, if we look only at those Americans who say they will be watching the game, 19 percent (nearly one in five) say they will be viewing a second screen.

“With Super Bowl advertising costs of roughly $7 million per 30 seconds, the second screen opens additional opportunities for both content and advertising – at entry price points that are more approachable,” said Ladik. “From 8 percent of Americans in 2021 to 14 percent this year marks an increase of 75 percent in just four years. That’s significant. Then consider that that equates to nearly one in five viewers of the game – and that’s extraordinary.”

 

On which device, if at all, will you be watching the 2024 Super Bowl this year?

N=1,523

 

General

Population

NFL Fan Non NFL Fan Sports

Fan*

Non Fan Avid

Fan

Casual

Fan

TV only 52% 67% 30% 65% 32% 64% 64%
Non-TV device(s) 6% 9% 4% 8% 3% 9% 8%
Both 14% 20% 5% 18% 5% 23% 18%
Not applicable 28% 4% 61% 9% 60% 4% 10%

 

General

Population

2024

General

Population

2023

General

Population

2022

General

Population

2021

TV only 52% 47% 46% 46%
Non-TV device(s) 6% 7% 8% 4%
Both 14% 12% 9% 8%
Not applicable 28% 34% 37% 42%

 

Nearly 3/4 Pay More Attention to Super Bowl Commercials, More than Half to Discuss on Social Media

One might ask why companies would be willing to pay $7 million for a 30 second commercial during the Super Bowl and the following numbers may provide some answers:

  1. 21 percent of those who say they’ll be watching the Super Bowl said the commercials are what they most look forward to.
    B. A whopping 73 percent say they pay more attention to commercials during the Super Bowl.
    C. 53 percent say they are likely to discuss or comment on social media about the best and worst commercials.
  2. 32 percent say they are more likely after watching an “entertaining commercial” to buy a product advertised or watch a program promoted during the Super Bowl.

 

I pay more attention to the commercials during the Super Bowl compared to commercials on other TV shows.

N=1,101

 

General

Population

NFL Fan Non NFL Fan Sports

Fan*

Non Fan Avid

Fan

Casual

Fan

Agree 73% 75% 69% 74% 70% 78% 73%
Neither agree nor disagree 18% 16% 22% 17% 20% 14% 18%
Disagree 9% 9% 9% 9% 10% 8% 9%

 

Compared to non-Super Bowl commercials, I am more likely to buy a product advertised or watch a program promoted during the Super Bowl since I watched a more entertaining commercial.

N=1,101

 

General

Population

NFL Fan Non NFL Fan Sports

Fan*

Non Fan Avid

Fan

Casual

Fan

Agree 32% 26% 25% 36% 18% 44% 32%
Neither agree nor disagree 35% 34% 38% 33% 43% 29% 35%
Disagree 33% 40% 37% 31% 39% 27% 33%

 

I am likely to discuss and/or comment on the best and worst Super Bowl commercials on social media. 

N=1,101

 

General

Population

NFL Fan Non NFL Fan Sports

Fan*

Non Fan Avid

Fan

Casual

Fan

Agree 53% 69% 70% 56% 40% 64% 54%
Neither agree nor disagree 23% 22% 13% 22% 28% 19% 23%
Disagree 24% 9% 17% 22% 32% 17% 23%

 

Sports Betting on the Big Game Slightly Down

Although in 2024 there are more states in America in which it is legal to place a bet on a sporting event, the number of respondents who said they will place a wager on the game is slightly down this year. In 2024, of those who will be watching the game 27 percent said they will bet. That number was 29 percent in 2023 and just 22 percent in 2022. As for informal betting – office pool boxes or squares – it is also down slightly to 31 percent of those who will be watching. The number was 34 percent in 2023 and 28 percent in 2022. Note, this does not reflect spending amounts, merely the number of those who say they will be watching and betting on the game.

 

Thinking about your plans for the Super Bowl… Will you be participating in a friend/family member’s informal Super Bowl betting pool? (i.e., boxes or squares)

N=1,523

 

General

Population

NFL Fan Non NFL Fan Sports

Fan*

Non Fan Avid

Fan

Casual

Fan

Yes, I will 23% 36% 4% 34% 5% 51% 26%
No, I will not 65% 55% 79% 57% 79% 40% 64%
Don’t know/No opinion 12% 9% 17% 9% 16% 9% 10%

 

General

Population

2024

General

Population

2023

General

Population

2022

Yes, I will 31% 34% 28%
No, I will not 60% 56% 61%
Don’t know/No opinion 9% 10% 11%

Note: these numbers represent only those who will watch the Super Bowl

 

Thinking about your plans for the Super Bowl… Will you be placing a bet or wager? (e.g., betting on the outcome of the game, on the winning team, etc.)

N=1,523

 

General

Population

NFL Fan Non NFL Fan Sports

Fan*

Non Fan Avid

Fan

Casual

Fan

Yes, I will 20% 30% 4% 30% 4% 46% 22%
No, I will not 71% 62% 85% 62% 86% 47% 69%
Don’t know/No opinion 9% 8% 11% 8% 10% 7% 9%

 

General

Population

2024

General

Population

2023

General

Population

2022

Yes, I will 27% 29% 22%
No, I will not 66% 63% 67%
Don’t know/No opinion 7% 8% 11%

Note: these numbers represent only those who will watch the Super Bowl

 

#   #   #

 

Questions, breakdowns and additional charts may be found below; an online version of this release may be found at https://blogs.shu.edu/sportspoll/

 

 

ABOUT THE POLL

The Seton Hall Sports Poll, conducted regularly since 2006, is performed by the Sharkey Institute within the Stillman School of Business. This poll was conducted online by YouGov Plc. using a national representative sample weighted according to gender, age, ethnicity, education, income and geography, based on U.S. Census Bureau figures. Respondents were selected from YouGov’s opt-in panel to be representative of all U.S residents. This poll release conforms to the Standards of Disclosure of the National Council on Public Polls. The Seton Hall Sports Poll has been chosen for inclusion in iPoll by Cornell’s Roper Center for Public Opinion Research and its findings have been published everywhere from USA Today, ESPN, The New York Times, Washington Post, AP, and Reuters to CNBC, NPR, Yahoo Finance, Fox News and many points in between.

Media:  Michael Ricciardelli, Associate Director of Media Relations, Seton Hall University
michael.ricciardelli@shu.edu, 908-447-3034; Marty Appel, AppelPR@gmail.com

 

This SHSP was conducted February 1st through February 5th and includes responses from 1,523 US adults with a margin of error of +/- 3.0%. The sample mirrors the US Census percentages on age, gender, income, education, ethnicity, and region.

Q1. Which of the following statements best describes you

N=1,523

 

General

Population

NFL

Fan

Non-NFL Fan
I am an avid sports fan 19% 31% 3%
I am a sports fan 43% 60% 19%
I am not a sports fan 38% 9% 78%

*Note: Presented in each table, Avid + Casual = total sports fandom in the data. Some tables break out the Avid and Casual segments.

 

Q2. What is your level of interest in the National Football League (NFL)?

N=1,523

 

General

Population

Sports

Fan*

Non Fan Avid

Fan

Casual

Fan

This is one of my TOP interests 27% 42% 1% 69% 31%
Somewhat interested 32% 43% 14% 25% 51%
Not very interested 15% 9% 25% 2% 12%
Not interested at all 26% 5% 60% 4% 6%

 

In recent years, NFL football games have been slowly migrating to streaming services including a playoff game this year only available on Peacock.

 

Q3a. Did you watch the Kansas City Chiefs play the Miami Dolphins on Peacock?

N=1,523

 

General

Population

NFL Fan Non NFL Fan Sports

Fan*

Non Fan Avid

Fan

Casual

Fan

Yes 28% 45% 4% 42% 5% 63% 33%
No 68% 53% 90% 56% 88% 35% 65%
Don’t know/No opinion 4% 2% 6% 2% 7% 2% 2%

 

Q3b. Did you have a subscription to Peacock before the game was announced to be on the streaming service?

N=435

 

General

Population

NFL Fan Non NFL Fan Sports

Fan*

Non Fan Avid

Fan

Casual

Fan

Yes 47% 69% 59% 49% 15% 58% 42%
No 50% 30% 35% 48% 76% 41% 54%
Don’t know/No opinion 3% 1% 6% 3% 9% 1% 4%

 

Q3c. Did you subscribe to Peacock because the game was only offered via the streaming service?

N=435

 

General

Population

NFL Fan Non NFL Fan Sports

Fan*

Non Fan Avid

Fan

Casual

Fan

Yes 47% 48% 32% 49% 15% 58% 42%
No 50% 49% 59% 48% 76% 41% 54%
Don’t know/No opinion 3% 3% 9% 3% 9% 1% 4%

 

Q4a. Do you believe you will keep your Peacock subscription for more than 3 months?

N=435

 

General

Population

NFL Fan Non NFL Fan Sports

Fan*

Non Fan Avid

Fan

Casual

Fan

Yes 69% 71% 41% 72% 39% 75% 69%
No 21% 20% 41% 19% 43% 20% 19%
Don’t know/No opinion 10% 9% 17% 9% 18% 5% 12%

 

Q4b. I did not watch because the game was too difficult to find.

N=1,025

 

General

Population

NFL Fan Non NFL Fan Sports

Fan*

Non Fan Avid

Fan

Casual

Fan

Yes 18% 33% 7% 29% 8% 36% 27%
No 66% 54% 76% 58% 74% 55% 59%
Don’t know/No opinion 15% 13% 18% 13% 18% 8% 14%

 

Q4c. I did not watch because I did not want to pay for a streaming service.

N=1,025

 

General

Population

NFL Fan Non NFL Fan Sports

Fan*

Non Fan Avid

Fan

Casual

Fan

Yes 38% 56% 23% 52% 24% 60% 50%
No 52% 38% 64% 42% 64% 32% 44%
Don’t know/No opinion 9% 5% 13% 6% 13% 7% 6%

 

Q5a. I did not watch because I am opposed to the NFL forcing me to pay for this game.

N=1,025

 

General

Population

NFL Fan Non NFL Fan Sports

Fan*

Non Fan Avid

Fan

Casual

Fan

Yes 30% 47% 17% 44% 17% 58% 40%
No 56% 44% 66% 47% 65% 35% 50%
Don’t know/No opinion 13% 9% 17% 9% 18% 7% 10%

 

The NFL and other major sports events will broadcast more games via streaming services.

 

Q5b. Will you watch future events including playoff games on streaming services?

N=1,523

 

General

Population

NFL Fan Non NFL Fan Sports

Fan*

Non Fan Avid

Fan

Casual

Fan

Yes 35% 53% 8% 52% 6% 63% 47%
No 47% 29% 72% 31% 73% 23% 34%
Don’t know/No opinion 19% 18% 20% 17% 21% 15% 18%

 

 

The 2024 NFL Super Bowl will be played on February 11th

 

Q6. At the 2024 Super Bowl I am rooting for _______ to win:

N=1,523

 

General

Population

NFL Fan Non NFL Fan Sports

Fan*

Non Fan Avid

Fan

Casual

Fan

The Kansas City Chiefs 28% 38% 14% 36% 14% 40% 35%
The San Francisco 49ers 23% 31% 11% 31% 11% 35% 29%
Neither team – I just want a great game to watch 22% 26% 17% 25% 17% 20% 27%
Don’t know/No opinion 27% 5% 58% 8% 58% 5% 9%

 

Q6a. Will you or anyone in your household’s decision to watch the game be influenced by Taylor Swift’s attendance at the game?

N=1,523

 

General

Pop

Female Male 18 -34 35 -54 55+ NFL Fan Non

NFL Fan

Sports

Fan*

Non Fan Avid

Fan

Casual

Fan

Yes 21% 19% 23% 41% 18% 7% 28% 10% 28% 9% 35% 25%
No 72% 73% 70% 51% 73% 87% 68% 77% 68% 78% 62% 71%
DK/NO 7% 8% 7% 8% 9% 6% 4% 13% 4% 13% 3% 4%

 

Q7. On which device, if at all, will you be watching the 2024 Super Bowl this year? Please select the option that best applies.

N=1,523

 

General

Population

NFL Fan Non NFL Fan Sports

Fan*

Non Fan Avid

Fan

Casual

Fan

TV only 52% 67% 30% 65% 32% 64% 64%
Non-TV device(s) 6% 9% 4% 8% 3% 9% 8%
Both 14% 20% 5% 18% 5% 23% 18%
Not applicable 28% 4% 61% 9% 60% 4% 10%

 

  1. TV only
  2. Non-TV device(s) only (e.g., smartphone, laptop, tablet, etc.)
  3. Both TV and non-TV device(s)
  4. Not applicable – I will not be watching the Super Bowl

 

General

Population

2024

General

Population

2023

General

Population

2022

General

Population

2021

TV only 52% 47% 46% 46%
Non-TV device(s) 6% 7% 8% 4%
Both 14% 12% 9% 8%
Not applicable 28% 34% 37% 42%

 

Q8a. Will you be gathering with other people that live outside of your home (i.e., with people that are not roommates/cohabitants, etc.,) to watch the upcoming Super Bowl?

N=1,101

 

General

Population

NFL Fan Non NFL Fan Sports

Fan*

Non Fan Avid

Fan

Casual

Fan

Yes, I will 43% 47% 31% 46% 30% 57% 42%
No, I will not 44% 41% 55% 41% 56% 33% 45%
Don’t know/No opinion 13% 12% 14% 13% 14% 10% 13%

 

Q8b. In addition to watching the Super Bowl, are you likely to follow and/or engage on social media during the event?

N=1,101

 

General

Population

NFL Fan Non NFL Fan Sports

Fan*

Non Fan Avid

Fan

Casual

Fan

Yes 45% 50% 27% 50% 26% 57% 47%
No 46% 41% 61% 41% 62% 37% 43%
Don’t know/No opinion 9% 9% 12% 9% 12% 6% 10%

 

Q9. Which part of the Super Bowl broadcast do you look forward to the most, the game, the halftime show, or the commercials?

N=1,101

 

General

Population

NFL Fan Non NFL Fan Sports

Fan*

Non Fan Avid

Fan

Casual

Fan

Game 49% 58% 16% 57% 16% 63% 55%
Halftime show 25% 22% 36% 21% 38% 19% 22%
Commercials 21% 17% 35% 17% 34% 13% 19%
Don’t know/No opinion 5% 3% 13% 5% 12% 5% 4%

 

A Super Bowl halftime lasts around 25 minutes in total, which is 10 minutes more than the usual NFL halftime length.

 

Q10a. Do you think the Super Bowl halftime is too long?

N=1,523

 

General

Population

NFL Fan Non NFL Fan Sports

Fan*

Non Fan Avid

Fan

Casual

Fan

Yes 29% 36% 18% 36% 17% 42% 33%
No 49% 56% 39% 54% 41% 50% 56%
Don’t know/No opinion 22% 8% 43% 10% 42% 8% 11%

 

Q10b. Do you think the Super Bowl halftime is too short?

N=1,523

 

General

Population

NFL Fan Non NFL Fan Sports

Fan*

Non Fan Avid

Fan

Casual

Fan

Yes 14% 19% 7% 18% 7% 22% 17%
No 62% 72% 47% 70% 47% 70% 70%
Don’t know/No opinion 24% 9% 46% 12% 46% 8% 13%

 

Q10c. Do you think other sports should add major entertainment extravaganzas to their championship games?

N=1,523

 

General

Population

NFL Fan Non NFL Fan Sports

Fan*

Non Fan Avid

Fan

Casual

Fan

Yes 35% 48% 17% 44% 10% 54% 40%
No 36% 34% 40% 38% 34% 33% 40%
Don’t know/No opinion 29% 18% 43% 18% 46% 13% 20%

 

Thinking about the upcoming 2024 Super Bowl, to what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements? 

 

Q11a. I pay more attention to the commercials during the Super Bowl compared to commercials on other TV shows.

N=1,101

 

General

Population

NFL Fan Non NFL Fan Sports

Fan*

Non Fan Avid

Fan

Casual

Fan

Agree 73% 75% 69% 74% 70% 78% 73%
Neither agree nor disagree 18% 16% 22% 17% 20% 14% 18%
Disagree 9% 9% 9% 9% 10% 8% 9%

 

Q11b. Compared to non-Super Bowl commercials, I am more likely to buy a product advertised or watch a program promoted during the Super Bowl since I watched a more entertaining commercial.

N=1,101

 

General

Population

NFL Fan Non NFL Fan Sports

Fan*

Non Fan Avid

Fan

Casual

Fan

Agree 32% 26% 25% 36% 18% 44% 32%
Neither agree nor disagree 35% 34% 38% 33% 43% 29% 35%
Disagree 33% 40% 37% 31% 39% 27% 33%

 

Q11c. I am likely to discuss and/or comment on the best and worst Super Bowl commercials on social media.

N=1,101

 

General

Population

NFL Fan Non NFL Fan Sports

Fan*

Non Fan Avid

Fan

Casual

Fan

Agree 53% 69% 70% 56% 40% 64% 54%
Neither agree nor disagree 23% 22% 13% 22% 28% 19% 23%
Disagree 24% 9% 17% 22% 32% 17% 23%

 

Q12a. Thinking about your plans for the Super Bowl… Will you be participating in a friend/family member’s informal Super Bowl betting pool? (i.e., boxes or squares)

N=1,523

 

General

Population

NFL Fan Non NFL Fan Sports

Fan*

Non Fan Avid

Fan

Casual

Fan

Yes, I will 23% 36% 4% 34% 5% 51% 26%
No, I will not 65% 55% 79% 57% 79% 40% 64%
Don’t know/No opinion 12% 9% 17% 9% 16% 9% 10%

 

 

General

Population

2024

General

Population

2023

General

Population

2022

Yes, I will 31% 34% 28%
No, I will not 60% 56% 61%
Don’t know/No opinion 9% 10% 11%

 

Q12b. Thinking about your plans for the Super Bowl… Will you be placing a bet or wager? (e.g., betting on the outcome of the game, on the winning team, etc.)

N=1,523

 

General

Population

NFL Fan Non NFL Fan Sports

Fan*

Non Fan Avid

Fan

Casual

Fan

Yes, I will 20% 30% 4% 30% 4% 46% 22%
No, I will not 71% 62% 85% 62% 86% 47% 69%
Don’t know/No opinion 9% 8% 11% 8% 10% 7% 9%

 

General

Population

2024

General

Population

2023

General

Population

2022

Yes, I will 27% 29% 22%
No, I will not 66% 63% 67%
Don’t know/No opinion 7% 8% 11%