Reason Super Bowl Halftime Performances Is Every Artist’s Dream

The Super Bowl Halftime Show has evolved dramatically since the first Super Bowl in 1967. Originally, it featured marching bands and themed musical performances, but over the decades, it has transformed into one of the most-watched musical events globally, featuring top-tier artists, extravagant productions, and memorable moments.

In the early years between the 1960s to 1980s, the halftime show primarily consisted of college marching bands, drill teams, and local performers.

Throughout the 1970s and early 1980s, marching bands and themed performances, often paying tribute to American history or patriotism, were the norm. Notable performances included the Up With People group, which performed multiple times during the 1970s and 1980s.

The 1990s marked the beginning of the shift toward popular music acts taking center stage during halftime. The turning point came

However, it was Super Bowl XXVII  in 1993, featuring Michael Jackson, that revolutionized the halftime show. His performance drew massive attention, and viewership for the halftime show began to rival the actual game. From this point on, the Super Bowl Halftime Show became a platform for major music stars.

The 2000s saw an increase in the number of pop, rock, and R&B artists headlining the halftime show. Some notable performances include Britney Spears, Nelly, Justin Timberlake, Mary J. Blige, and Aerosmith among other acts.

By the mid-2000s, the Super Bowl had cemented its reputation for featuring megastars. The performances became more elaborate, with pyrotechnics, massive stage designs, and guest appearances becoming the norm.

The 2010s saw a range of international superstars performing, making the event even more globally recognized.

Singer Madonna headlined the Super Bowl XLVI halftime show in 2012, which also featured Nicki Minaj, M.I.A., and CeeLo Green. The show was one of the most-watched in history, with 114 million viewers.

In 2013 Beyoncé reunited with Destiny’s Child for a performance that received widespread acclaim. The following year a new record was set by Bruno Mars and the Red Hot Chili Peppers for being the most-watched halftime show, with over 115 million viewers.

Katy Perry’s show in 2015 which featured a giant mechanical lion, Left Shark, and guest appearances by Lenny Kravitz and Missy Elliott was watched by 118.5 million people, setting a new record.

Modern thrilling performance was ushered in this era of 2020s where performances have continued to evolve with a blend of nostalgia and modernity, often featuring a mix of contemporary artists and legendary performers.

Shakira teamed up with Jennifer Lopez in 2020 bringing a mix of Latin and pop elements to the stage. Their show was praised for its energy, choreography, and cultural significance. The following year The Weeknd performed during the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to a more contained, but still visually impressive, show. It was unique in that it had no guest performers.

A celebration of hip-hop featuring Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Mary J. Blige, and Kendrick Lamar happened in 2022.

Audience Viewership
The Super Bowl Halftime Show often draws a television audience in the hundreds of millions. Over the years, the viewership has steadily grown:

– 2009: Bruce Springsteen – 98 million viewers
– 2012: Madonna – 114 million viewers
– 2015: Katy Perry – 118.5 million viewers (record-breaking at the time)
– 2020: Shakira and Jennifer Lopez – 104 million viewers
– 2021: The Weeknd – 96.7 million viewers (impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic)

The halftime show’s viewership sometimes even exceeds the viewership of the actual game, making it a central attraction in its own right.

Revenues and Artist Earnings
One of the most surprising facts about the Super Bowl Halftime Show is that artists do not get paid to perform. The NFL covers the production costs, which can run into the millions, but the artists themselves do not receive direct payment for their performance. Instead, the exposure is considered extremely valuable. For example:

Katy Perry’s music sales increased by 92% after her 2015 performance.

Justin Timberlake** saw a 534% increase in album sales following his 2018 show.

In terms of revenue, the artists benefit from the publicity and global exposure, which often results in increased streaming numbers, album sales, and concert ticket sales.

Cost of Production
The cost of producing a Super Bowl halftime show can vary significantly depending on the complexity of the performance. The NFL reportedly spends anywhere between $10 million to $13 million on these productions. The production for The Weeknd’s 2021 halftime show reportedly cost $7 million of his own money in addition to what the NFL paid.

In conclusion, the Super Bowl Halftime Show has grown from humble beginnings with marching bands to become a global cultural phenomenon featuring the biggest names in music. Despite the lack of direct payment, the exposure for artists is unmatched, with viewership often surpassing that of the game itself. The revenues generated from this exposure, as well as the immense production values, ensure that the halftime show remains one of the most anticipated events of the year.