The Super Bowl LXL halftime show, headlined by Bad Bunny, drew a significantly larger audience than the alternative “All-American Halftime Show” presented by Turning Point USA and featuring Kid Rock, according to early viewership figures released on .
While Bad Bunny shared the stage with Lady Gaga and Ricky Martin at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, Kid Rock was joined by country artists Brantley Gilbert, Lee Brice, and Gabby Barrett for the counter-programming event. The contrast in viewership highlights a clear preference among a broad audience for Bad Bunny’s performance, which incorporated both Spanish-language songs and a high-energy spectacle.
Initial reports indicate Turning Point USA’s broadcast reached approximately four million viewers, while The New York Times reported a peak of 6.1 million concurrent viewers on YouTube. This pales in comparison to the projected 128 million viewers for Bad Bunny’s show, potentially making it one of the most-watched halftime performances in Super Bowl history, though still slightly behind Kendrick Lamar’s record of 133.5 million set last year.
The “All-American Halftime Show” was streamed on Turning Point USA’s social media channels, including YouTube and X, as well as on conservative networks like Real America’s Voice and OAN. As of this writing, the show has garnered over 19 million views on the official Turning Point USA YouTube channel, having been uploaded just twelve hours prior.
Bad Bunny’s performance, uploaded to the official NFL YouTube channel eight hours ago, has already surpassed 13 million views, further demonstrating the wider appeal of his show.
The creation of the alternative halftime show was, in part, a response to criticism of the NFL’s choice of Bad Bunny as this year’s performer. Kid Rock himself stated, “We’re approaching this show like David and Goliath. Competing with the pro football machine and a global pop superstar is almost impossible… or is it?” This sentiment was echoed by Andrew Kolvet, a spokesman for Turning Point USA, who described the event as “an opportunity for all Americans to enjoy a halftime show with no agenda other than to celebrate faith, family, and freedom.”
The event also served as a memorial to Charlie Kirk, the co-founder of Turning Point USA who passed away in September. However, despite the intention to honor Kirk, his widow, Erika Kirk, did not participate in the broadcast, continuing a media tour she began after her husband’s death.
Notably, former President Donald Trump, who had previously criticized the NFL for selecting Bad Bunny, did not publicly comment on the Turning Point USA show. Instead, he took to his Truth Social platform shortly after Bad Bunny’s performance to express his disapproval, calling it “absolutely terrible, one of the worst, EVER!” and an “affront to the Greatness of America.”
The stark contrast in viewership numbers underscores the cultural divide that fueled the creation of the “All-American Halftime Show.” While Turning Point USA aimed to provide an alternative for viewers who might not connect with Bad Bunny’s performance, the numbers suggest that the mainstream appeal of the Puerto Rican superstar and his collaborators far outweighed the niche audience targeted by the conservative organization.
During the Turning Point USA show, country singer Lee Brice dedicated a song to Kirk, stating he “gave people microphones so they can say what’s on their mind.” Brice then performed a song that appeared to criticize trans children, stating, “it ain’t easy being country, in this country nowadays.” Kid Rock’s performance included a rendition of Cody Johnson’s ”’Til You Can’t” as a tribute to Kirk.
The differing receptions to the two halftime shows reflect a broader trend of cultural counterprogramming and the increasing polarization of entertainment choices. While Bad Bunny’s performance aimed for inclusivity and global appeal, the “All-American Halftime Show” catered to a specific ideological audience, ultimately failing to capture the same level of mainstream attention.
