Millions of Americans skipped the Super Bowl halftime show and tuned in to a conservative alternative instead. Turning Point USA’s "All-American Halftime Show" pulled in massive online numbers Sunday night, drawing as many as 6.1 million concurrent viewers on YouTube as an alternative to the Super Bowl broadcast featuring Bad Bunny which had received widespread criticism before the game. The "All-American Halftime Show" featuring performances by Kid Rock, Brantley Gilbert, Lee Brice, and Gabby Barrett, was positioned as a family-friendly option focused on faith, family, and patriotism.
Supporters flooded YouTube comments praising the show as family-friendly and unapologetically patriotic. President Donald Trump added fuel to the debate during the game, sharply criticizing the official halftime show and amplifying attention on the alternative stream. While traditional TV ratings for the NFL halftime remain far larger, supporters flooded the YouTube comments praising the conservative-leaning alternative. Turning Point USA said licensing restrictions kept the show exclusive to YouTube