Overview
This analysis explores Super Bowl data across three dimensions: game outcomes, television viewership, and halftime performances. The investigation uses datasets scraped from Wikipedia covering all 52 Super Bowls through 2018.
Research Questions
- ›What constitute the most extreme game outcomes?
- ›How does score differential impact television viewership?
- ›What trends appear in viewership, ratings, and advertising costs?
- ›Which musicians performed halftime shows most frequently?
Main Findings
Combined Points Distribution
Most combined scores fall between 40 and 50 points, with extremes roughly equidistant in both directions. The highest-scoring game totalled 74-75 points; the lowest-scoring games (16 points) resulted from defensive dominance or poor weather conditions.
Point Differential and Viewership
Analysis revealed a weak negative correlation between blowout margins and household viewership share — suggesting viewers may abandon uncompetitive games, though the small sample size limits confidence in this conclusion.
Evolution of Broadcasting Economics
Advertisement costs increased significantly over time but lagged behind viewership growth — suggesting networks were slow to capitalise on the event's popularity. A 30-second commercial spot currently costs approximately $5 million.
Halftime Show Performers
The Grambling State University Tiger Marching Band holds the record for most appearances (six). Among modern musicians, Justin Timberlake performed the most songs in a single halftime show — 11 songs in 2018, followed by Diana Ross (10 songs in 1996).
Notable Conclusion
Earlier halftime shows featured performers like tap-dancing ponies and Elvis impersonators. Michael Jackson's 1993 performance marked the turning point toward major celebrity entertainment acts.