Millions of NFL viewers turned away from the official Super Bowl halftime show on Sunday night to watch Turning Point USA’s alternative “All-American” halftime broadcast featuring Kid Rock and other country music performers.
The NFL’s selection of Puerto Rican rapper Bad Bunny for the halftime entertainment at the game in San Francisco sparked controversy among fans, many of whom opted to stream the competing event on YouTube and Rumble instead of watching NBC’s coverage.
Kid Rock served as the headliner for the MAGA-aligned halftime show, which also featured performances from Brantley Gilbert, Lee Brice and Gabby Barrett.
The broadcast encountered technical difficulties just minutes before its scheduled start time.
The event was originally planned to stream on X, but those plans were abruptly cancelled.
Turning Point USA issued a statement explaining the change.
“UPDATE: Due to licensing restrictions, we are unable to stream The All-American Halftime Show on X. Head on over to our YouTube channel tonight around 8PM ET to watch the full show,” the organization said.
Despite the last-minute platform switch, viewership numbers climbed throughout the broadcast, reaching a peak of over 5 million concurrent viewers during the middle portion of the show.
The program opened with a tribute to Turning Point USA’s late founder Charlie Kirk.
The host stated, “this one’s for you Charlie,” honoring Kirk, who was murdered in September.
Following the dedication, performers delivered a rendition of the national anthem.
The viewer count surpassed 3 million during this segment as audiences tuned in for what organizers called “Real America” in action.
Brantley Gilbert took the stage first before a live audience, followed by Barrett’s vocal performance and Brice’s country music set.
The evening culminated with Kid Rock’s headline performance, which featured his popular songs.
Kid Rock began his set wearing shorts under his stage name before transitioning to a stripped-down acoustic segment performed under his legal name, Robert Ritchie.
Social media users expressed enthusiasm for the alternative programming.
One viewer posted: “Didn’t even watch the stupid Bad Bunny halftime, I’m watching the awesome halftime show Turning Point is putting on with Kid Rick and Gabby Barrett and Brantley Gilbert real American s***”.
Another commented: “Did anyone actually watch Bad Bunny? Turning Point for me. Kid Rock!”
The show concluded with cameras pulling back from Kid Rock’s performance to display photographs of Kirk, his wife Erica and their children, accompanied by text reading: “In Remembrance of Charlie Kirk.”
Earlier in the week, Kid Rock had framed the event as an underdog challenge.
“We’re approaching this show like David and Goliath. Competing with the pro football machine and a global pop superstar is almost impossible… or is it?” he said.
TPUSA spokesman Andrew Kolvet provided a statement to Fox News outlining the organization’s goals.
“The All-American Halftime Show is an opportunity for all Americans to enjoy a halftime show with no agenda other than to celebrate faith, family, and freedom,” Kolvet said.
“We can’t wait to watch the incredible show they’re about to put on. We know millions around the country will be watching too.”
Bad Bunny’s selection as the official halftime performer generated significant criticism from some viewers, including President Trump.
“I don’t know who he is,” Trump told Newsmax last Fall.
“I don’t know why they’re doing it. It’s crazy. And then they blame it on some promoter they hired to pick up entertainment. I think it’s absolutely ridiculous.”
Turning Point USA was established by Charlie Kirk, who was assassinated in September during an event at Utah Valley University.
His widow, Erika, has committed to continuing his work.
