Part 4/9:
A significant factor contributing to these inflated numbers is the inclusion of “out-of-home” viewing in the ratings calculation this year. This metric considers people watching the game in restaurants, bars, and other public venues. While this technicality provides a clearer picture of viewership, it complicates the claim that nearly 128 million individuals were watching the Super Bowl when it might merely reflect crowded venues where the game was being streamed, with many individuals distracted by other activities.