Despite record numbers overall, the Super Bowl had slight declines in the key adults 18-49 demographic.
The Patriots/Seahawks Super Bowl drew a 39.1 rating and 49.7 million viewers among adults 18-49, down less than 1% in ratings and viewership from last year (39.3, 49.9M) and down 2% and 1%, respectively, from 2013 (39.7, 50.2M).
This year’s game ranks as the lowest rated Super Bowl in the demo since 2010 (38.6) and the least-watched since 2009 (48.4M). Ratings in the demo have declined in three consecutive years, and viewership has declined in four.
The consistent declines among adults 18-49 have taken place despite steadily growing numbers overall. Super Bowl viewership has risen in seven of the past eight seasons, with the game setting all-time U.S. TV records in five of the past six.
It should be noted that despite the multi-year low, Sunday’s game still had a higher rating in the demo than every Super Bowl from 1997 to 2010.
(Sun. demo numbers via Media Life Magazine)
