TORONTO (February 8, 2016) – Last night’s SUPER BOWL 50 on CTV and RDS is Canada’s second-most-watched SUPER BOWL on record. Preliminary overnight data from Numeris confirms that the game attracted an average audience of 8.3 million viewers on CTV and RDS (CTV: 7.3 million; RDS: 1 million), as the defensive juggernaut Denver Broncos rolled to a 24-10 victory over the Carolina Panthers. The game’s total audience is second only to last year’s all-time record for SUPER BOWL XLIX (9.23 million viewers).

Overall, 18.2 million unique viewers – or more than one in two Canadians (52%) – watched some part of the 2015-16 NFL championship game on CTV or RDS.

Ratings Highlights

• With a technicolour performance by Coldplay, an epic dance-off showdown between Beyoncé and Bruno Mars, and a “Believe In Love” send-off, the Pepsi Super Bowl 50 Halftime Show captivated Canadians, as audience levels for SUPER BOWL 50 on CTV and RDS peaked with an average minute audience of 10.3 million viewers during the highly anticipated halftime show
• The game on CTV received more than 50% or higher shares among all key adult demos in all markets in English Canada
• Total viewing of all SUPER BOWL programming on CTV and RDS, including pre-game and post-game shows, was 39 million hours

Top 5 SUPER BOWL audiences on Canadian television (CTV and RDS)

1. SUPER BOWL XLIX in 2015 – Patriots 28-Seahawks 24 – 9.23 million
2. SUPER BOWL 50 in 2016 – Broncos 24-Panthers 10 – 8.3 million
3. SUPER BOWL XLVI in 2012 – Giants 21-Patriots 17 – 8.18 million
4. SUPER BOWL XLVIII in 2014 – Seahawks 43-Broncos 8 – 7.94 million
5. SUPER BOWL XLVII in 2013 – Ravens 34-49ers 31 – 7.38 million

Sponsors and Advertising

Once again the SUPER BOWL was the hottest television property for Canadian advertisers and a coveted platform for key sponsors, including Labatt Breweries of Canada, Nissan Canada Inc., and Toyota Canada Inc. Key advertisers showcased during SUPER BOWL 50 included Doritos Canada, Hyundai Canada, KitKat, Burger King, Mazda Canada, President’s Choice, President’s Choice Financial, Scotiabank, Sun Life Financial, and Volkswagen Canada, BMO, Chartered Professional Accountants, GlaxoSmithKline, Mackenzie Investments, and Wealthsimple.

TSN used the massive SUPER BOWL 50 broadcast to launch the network’s newest multi-platform campaign – aptly titled CHAMPIONS LIVE HERE – underscoring the unrivalled range of iconic championships that live on TSN, and the incomparable value that TSN’s five national feeds deliver to subscribers. Following its debut, the campaign will be featured in heavy rotation across Bell Media’s industry-leading TV, radio, digital, outdoor, and social platforms.

Bell Media also delivered a multi-million dollar promotional campaign in SUPER BOWL 50 showcasing original Canadian productions including LETTERKENNY, MASTERCHEF CANADA, ORPHAN BLACK, SAVING HOPE, BITTEN, and JADE FEVER.

Bell Media’s CTV, TSN, and RDS are the official broadcasters of the NFL in Canada.