Super Bowl LIII drew the smallest television audience in more than a decade, according to figures released Monday evening by the Nielsen Co.
The New England Patriots' 13-3 victory over the Los Angeles Rams averaged about 98.2 million viewers on CBS, the lowest since Super Bowl XLII averaged 97.4 million viewers after the 2007 season. The preliminary household rating of 41.1 was the lowest since Super Bowl XXXVII, played after the 2003 season.
This year's game was a defensive struggle after a record-setting season of offensive fireworks. The Patriots led 3-0 at halftime and the Rams did not score until 2 minutes, 11 seconds remained in the third quarter.