Super Bowl reaches 100.7 million viewers, down from 2018
Carolyn Kaster / Associated Press
New England Patriots' Tom Brady (12) passes under pressure form Los Angeles Rams' Aaron Donald (99) during the first half of the NFL Super Bowl 53 football game Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019, in Atlanta.
Monday, Feb. 4, 2019 | 3:54 p.m.
PASADENA, Calif. — The New England Patriots' Super Bowl win over the Los Angeles Rams was seen by 100.7 million viewers, the smallest Super Bowl audience in a decade.
The Nielsen company said viewership dropped 3 percent from last year's 103.4 million. The Patriots' 13-3 win was a defensive struggle, and a struggle for many casual fans to watch.
The Super Bowl is traditionally the most-watched television event of the year in the U.S., and its audience hasn't dipped below 100 million since 2009. The TV audience has been dwindling since its 2015 peak of 114.4 million.