NBC Faces Backlash for Not Broadcasting Soundgarden NFL Halftime Show

The NFL hyped up Soundgarden ’s halftime set at the season-opening game Wednesday night between the home team Seattle Seahawks and visiting New England Patriots, but unless you were in the stadium, you didn’t see it. That’s because NBC didn’t air the performance.

Soundgarden’s surviving members Kim Thayil, Matt Cameron, and Ben Shepherd performed “Outshined” and “Spoonman” with The Pretty Reckless’ Taylor Momsen on vocals and Pearl Jam’s Mike McCready on additional guitar. They were also joined by the Seahawks’ “Blue Thunder” drumline.

Viewers who tuned in to the game expecting to see the Soundgarden set were understandably upset when it became apparent that NBC wasn’t broadcasting the performance, instead choosing to focus on halftime analysis.

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One person wrote on X/Twitter, “Shout out to the people who got videos and are sharing with the rest of us who couldn’t see Taylor & Soundgarden, since @NBCSports had one job (to air it) they couldn’t even do that right. So irritating because they used Taylor & Soundgarden just to bring in more viewers.”

Another viewer lamented, “ Unless it was the band’s decision, it is truly incomprehensible to me how @nbc did not televise Soundgarden ’s historic halftime performance and instead platformed the same tired commentary that is about as useless as a poopy flavored lollipop.”

A similar thing happened four years ago when Ozzy Osbourne performed at halftime of the season opener in Los Angeles. At that time, NBC only aired a few seconds of the metal icon’s two-song set, angering viewers, as well.

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Prior to Wednesday night’s game, McCready performed “The Star-Spangled Banner,” which did get airtime. Videos of Soundgarden’s performance and the national anthem have surfaced online, and can be seen below.

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> Shout out to the people who got videos and are sharing with the rest of us who couldn't see Taylor & Soundgarden, since @NBCSports had one job (to air it) they couldn't even do that right. So irritating because they used Taylor & Soundgarden just to bring in more viewers. https://t.co/TTfQhpGVyL — ♡Isabel♡ (@isabelTPRFAN) September 10, 2026

> Unless it was the band’s decision, it is truly incomprehensible to me how @nbc did not televise Soundgarden’s historic halftime performance and instead platformed the same tired commentary that is about as useless as a poopy flavored lollipop. — The Duke of Schmoz (@schmozz1) September 10, 2026

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_Originally reported by [Consequence](https://consequence.net/2026/09/viewers-angry-nbc-not-airing-soundgarden-nfl-halftime-performance/)._