NBC scores Olympic-sized ratings with opening ceremony

NBC's broadcast of the Winter Olympics' opening ceremony on Friday scored big ratings with an average of 32.6 million people watching the festivities.

It was the second largest audience for a Winter Olympics kickoff since 1994. The Salt Lake City Games in 2002 appear to have been the ratings peak when an average of 45.6 million people watched. Interest among viewers is typically higher when the Olympics are held in the U.S. 

NBC Sports executives have been optimistic that the 2010 Games also would perform well because Vancouver is just a few miles north of the U.S. border and within the Pacific time zone.  That means that more than half of the country will be able to see events live on TV. (NBC is delaying the prime-time telecast for the Pacific and Mountain time zones so the events fall in the traditional prime-time window, when advertising rates are higher). 

The start of the Olympics was marred by tragedy when a 21-year-old luge athlete, Nodar Kumaritashvili from the Republic of Georgia was killed during a practice run.

Four years ago, an average of 22.2 million viewers -- 10 million fewer than Friday night --watched the opening ceremony when the events were held in Turin, Italy.  NBC said a total of 67.5 million people in the U.S. watched all or some of its prime-time telecast from Vancouver on Friday.

-- Meg James

Comments

[Mike Licht]

Why the media blackout on Team USA's first Olympic victory?

See:

http://notionscapital.wordpress.com/2010/02/13/first-usa-olympics%e2%84%a2-triumph/

[James]

It sucks that the Olympics are on tape delay on the West Coast. When ABC had the rights they'd always air sporting events live on the West Coast, if it was also live on the East Coast.
I'm defintely just DVR'ing the Olympics when I watch and fast forwarding through the commericals since it isn't live. I hope NBC loses hundreds of millions on the Olympics their coverage is terrible.

[Ben]

I watched the opening ceremony from here in Australia. It was nothing short of breathtaking. The mishap with the fourth arm, in my opinion resulted in a better design. I think it looked a lot better with three arms than four. Anyway, overall the amount of musical talent in Canada amazed me. The gentleman singing that French song towards the end was great. I am just mind-blown as I type this recalling all of the great performances intricately woven into each other. Simply amazing!!! Well done Canada!

[AB]

Maybe, it was just me but I tuned in expecting a Beijing style opening ceremony. Instead, I got a ceremony that any primary school could have put together.

[citizen]

Could care less about the Olympics. As far as I'm concerned, it's a two week pre-emption of "The Office".