It’s one of the biggest events of the year. It’s flashy, it’s loud, it’s got energy and media. But is it worth it? It’s nice to have something to celebrate, to bring people together and gather with friends and family. But does it really deserve to be as big as it is?
An ESPN article based on Super Bowl LX reports that the Super Bowl this year amassed “124.9 million viewers,” falling shy of last year’s average. Consecutively for years, the Super Bowl has been the most watched sporting event across the country. As someone who generally doesn’t watch football, I wasn’t rooting for a team in particular, and I chose the Seahawks because of the mascot. Although, I watched the game and I thought it was a mess. It was clearly difficult to score, the teams were sloppy and it was not an enjoyable watch.
I was reflecting on why exactly I watch it, and whether that is because I want to see it or because of its popularity? The ultimate reason I watch the Super Bowl is for its entertainment. I love the funny commercials and the fascinating halftime shows featuring huge celebrities and music.
Because of the large publicity and the media’s eye on the Super Bowl, it has to appeal to not just dads in sports jerseys, but everyone. The event aims to entice global audiences as well, increasing their viewers to football fans and entertainment seekers all around the world.
They do great with this, getting worldwide attention for their halftime performances, featuring artists such as Kendrick Lamar, Usher, Shakira, Rihanna, etc. This year’s halftime show was headlined by Bad Bunny, a Puerto Rican artist who has gained popularity in recent years for his upbeat music and attracting a variety of listeners. The performance was spectacular, I loved the inclusion of different countries and the cultural scenery as well as the choreography. The show is an excellent way to bring people from all around the world together via entertainment. Calling in performers from different genres of music is a key component of making the Super Bowl appeal to a variety of audiences, as well as get people hyped for the game.
Another big part of the Super Bowl is the commercials. On average, people pay about 8 million dollars for a Super Bowl ad lasting 30 seconds. This year especially I noticed an increase in AI-generated ads, taking away the elements that your typical Super Bowl ad might produce. Normally the commercials are funny and lighthearted or serious with a deep message. The usage of AI spoiled the authenticity behind the ads and came off as cheap or messily put together, taking away the essence of your average Super Bowl commercial.
The Super Bowl is overhyped. For weeks, it dominates stores, screens and conversations, even for people whose teams aren’t playing in the game. Between the rise of sports betting on the different teams and the endless ads, the event can feel more anticlimactic and less of an enjoyable experience. Overall, the Super Bowl’s halftime show is a great opportunity to create a performance full of culture and appreciation of a shared experience. Despite this, the Super Bowl doesn’t need the media or social energy it gets, and it definitely does not need all of that money.
Did you enjoy watching the Super Bowl? Let us know in the comments!
