Without the Olympics and a national election in 2025, pro football dominated TV viewership numbers once again. The NFL had 48 of the top 100 slots, up from 45 in 2024.

Broadcast and cable measurements of total viewers

Rank | Program | (network) | Viewers | Date aired

1. Super Bowl LIX: Philadelphia vs. Kansas City (Fox) | 126,659,000 | Feb. 9

2. AFC Championship: Kansas City vs. Buffalo (CBS) | 57,766,000 | Jan. 26

3. AFC divisional playoff: Buffalo vs. Baltimore (CBS) | 43,135,000 | Jan. 19

4. NFC playoff: Washington vs. Detroit (Fox) | 35,017,000 | Jan. 18

5. World Series Game 7: Dodgers vs. Toronto Blue Jays (Fox) | 27,053,000 | Nov. 1

6. NFL playoff: Washington vs. Tampa Bay (NBC) | 26,388,000 | Jan. 12

7. NFL “Sunday Night Football”: Minnesota vs. Detroit (NBC) | 25,988,000 | Jan. 5

8. NFL “Thursday Night Special”: Cincinnati vs. Baltimore (NBC) | 25,492,000 | Nov. 27

9. NFL “Sunday Night Football”: Detroit vs. Kansas City (NBC) | 24,742,000 | Oct. 12

10. NFL “Sunday Night Football””: Green Bay vs. Dallas (NBC) | 24,054,000 | Sept. 28

11. NFL “Thursday Night Special”: Dallas vs. Philadelphia (NBC) | 23,510,000 | Sept. 4

12. NFL “Sunday Night Football”: Green Bay vs. Pittsburgh (NBC) | 23,166,000 | Oct. 26

13. NFL “Sunday Night Football”: Kansas City vs. N.Y. Giants (NBC) | 2,949,000 | Sept. 21

14. NFL “Thursday Night Football”: Pittsburgh vs. Baltimore (Prime) | 22,173,000 | Jan. 11

15. NFL “Sunday Night Football”: Baltimore vs. Buffalo (NBC) | 21,949,000 | Sept. 7

16. NFL “Sunday Night Football”: Detroit vs. Philadelphia (NBC) | 21,254,000 | Nov. 16

17. Academy Awards presentation (ABC) | 20,283,000 | March 2

18. NFL “Sunday Night Football”: Buffalo vs. New England (NBC) | 19,631,000 | Oct. 5

19. NFL “Sunday Night Football”: Atlanta vs. Minnesota (NBC) | 19,374,000 | Sept. 14

20. NFL “Sunday Night Football”: Pittsburgh vs. L.A.Chargers (NBC) | 18,698,000 | Nov. 9

According to Bloomberg, the cost of a 30-second TV commercial during this year’s Super Bowl can be as much as $10 million, with the average around

$8 million. Some time windows are more sought after than others, which affects the cost of specific spots.

A 2024 survey by Seton Hall University found that when it comes to watching the Super Bowl, people are most interested in:

The game: 49%

Halftime show: 25%

Commercials: 21%

Don’t know: 5%

1. New England Patriots — 11 (6-5)

2. (tie) Pittsburgh Steelers — eight (6-2)

2. (tie) Dallas Cowboys — eight (5-3)

2. (tie) San Francisco 49ers — eight (5-3)

2. (tie) Denver Broncos — eight (3-5)

1. (tie) New England Patriots — six

1. (tie) Pittsburgh Steelers — six

3. (tie) Dallas Cowboys — five

3. (tie) San Francisco 49ers — five

5. (tie) Kansas City Chiefs — four

5. (tie) Green Bay Packers — four

5. (tie) New York Giants — four

8. (tie) Denver Broncos — three

8. (tie) Las Vegas Raiders — three

The Seattle Seahawks are the NFC’s top seed, and are seeking their second Super Bowl title in their fourth appearance.

The New England Patriots are the AFC’s second seed, and are seeking a record seventh Super Bowl title while extending their record of 12 appearances.

Seattle is the favorite to win the Super Bowl, as all of the major sportsbooks have pegged Sam Darnold and company as the better team. Seattle is a 4.5-point favorite in this matchup after winning the NFC title game. These two teams are coached by two of the best in the business: Mike Vrabel in New England and Mike Macdonald in Seattle. Both teams have offensive stars and excellent defense.

Seattle quarterback Sam Darnold (age 28) is in his first season with the Seahawks and his fifth team in eight seasons.

Drake Maye (age 23) is in his second season with the Patriots.

Sam Darnold and Drake Maye both threw for more than 4,000 yards this season. Maye was fourth best in passing yards with 4,394 and Darnold had the fifth most yards with 4,048. Maye had a slightly higher completion percentage with 72% compared to Darnold’s 67.7% Darnold had 25 touchdown passes and 14 interceptions, Maye threw 31 touchdowns with just 8 interceptions.

Mike Macdonald, 38, was born in Boston Massachusetts. His playing career ended in high school when he injured his knee. He attended the University of Georgia and coached high school football while he was there in 2008-2009. He began at the university in 2010 before being hired by the Baltimore Ravens in 2014. He was with the Ravens until becoming defensive coordinator at Michigan in 2021. He returned to the Ravens to run its defense. He became Seattle’s head coach in 2024.

His career head coaching record in 24-10. His salary is estimated to be $9 million per year. He’s been married since 2021 and has a 1-year old son. If he wins he’ll be the third-youngest coach to win a Super Bowl.

Mike Vrabel, 50, was born in Akron Ohio. He was a linebacker at Ohio State and played in the NFL from 1997 to 2010 with the Steelers, Patriots and Chiefs. He was a three-time Super Bowl Champion and first-team All Pro one season. He is in the New England Patriots Hall of Fame.

His NFL coaching career began in 2014 as a linebackers coach for the Houston Texans. He was the head coach of the Tennessee Titans from 2018 to 2023. His 2025 salary is estimated to be $14 million. His career head coaching record is 73-51. Vrabel and his wife, Jennifer, have two sons.