Who Owns the Rights to the Super Bowl Halftime Show

Key Ownership Takeaways at a Glance

How Super Bowl Halftime Rights Are Structured

NFL’s Role as Organizer and Rights Holder

The NFL produces the Super Bowl halftime show as part of the event it controls. The league holds commercial and broadcast rights to the game, which typically extend to the halftime show as an integral component. This structure lets the NFL coordinate performances, set conditions for broadcast, and manage commercial use of the show within the event framework.

Artist and Label Rights to Music

The performing artist brings their own rights to the stage. For new material, master rights usually reside with the artist’s label, while publishing rights are held by songwriters and publishers. Writers receive performance royalties through PROs each time the composition is broadcast publicly, including during the halftime show.

Songwriters and Publishers

Any underlying songs performed are governed by composition copyrights. ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC license public performance, ensuring songwriters are paid when their works appear in the broadcast. Mechanical reproduction rights may involve additional licensing if recordings are distributed beyond the live show.

Notable Examples and Trends

Several high-profile performers have negotiated terms that clarify how footage and recordings can be used. These agreements often distinguish between live broadcast, post-event rebroadcast, and promotional use. Understanding these distinctions helps explain why some shows appear in full while others are edited or delayed, and why clearance matters for clips used online or in commercials.

Common Misconceptions

The halftime show is frequently assumed to be wholly owned by a single entity, but rights are layered. The NFL owns the event production and broadcast rights; the artist and their label control the musical performance; and songwriters and publishers maintain composition copyrights. This layered ownership means permissions must come from multiple sources for any reuse beyond the original broadcast.

What Happens After the Show

Once the broadcast concludes, the NFL’s license to air the show typically does not extend to downstream commercial reuse without separate agreements. Platforms that upload full performances or clips generally rely on licensed content or negotiated permissions. Artists and rights holders may monetize performances through streaming, sales, and promotional packages negotiated after the game.

Summary Checklist for Understanding Halftime Rights

• The NFL controls production and broadcast rights for the halftime show as part of the Super Bowl.
• Artists perform under license and retain or license master and publishing rights to their music.
• Songwriters and publishers earn performance royalties via ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC on broadcast and public performance.
• Reuse of footage for ads, clips, or online uploads requires clearance from the NFL and the applicable rights holders.
• Trademark use of NFL logos and artist branding requires permission and is subject to clearance rules.

Practical Implications for Broadcasters and Platforms

Broadcasters pay the NFL for rights to air the halftime show as part of the overall game package. Digital platforms that repost highlights or full performances do so under separate agreements with the NFL and rights holders. Without those licenses, even short clips can infringe copyrights or trademark rights, which is why uploads are often delayed or takedown notices are issued promptly.