NBC updates ratings from Beijing Games

NBC reported a 16.3 rating and an average audience of 26.6 million for Tuesday's primetime broadcast from the Beijing Games. That's up from a 15.7 rating and 25 million average viewers on the comparable night four years ago during Athens Games broadcasts, according to Nielsen Media Research data.

NBC's 12-day average prime-time viewership is 29.3 million, up from 26.1 million during the like period during the Athens Games. Its 17.1 rating over the period is an 8% increase from a 15.8 rating four years ago.

NBC Universal's continued ratings success with the Beijing Games broadcasts prompted the Hollywood Reporter to describe the network's daily ratings press releases this way: "NBC is running out of ways to describe its stellar Olympics ratings."

Meanwhile, Sports Business Daily reports that ESPN/ABC Sports executives on Wednesday took a shot at rival NBC's decision to delay key Beijing Games competitions.

"When we put a live bug on 'SportsCenter,' it means live right now," ESPN Exec VP/Content John Skipper said. "At ESPN, it just would not be part of our DNA to tape delay the most important sporting event of the day."

Sports Business Daily also reported that ESPN is interested in bidding for the next round of Olympic Games, beginning with the 2014 and 2016 Games. NBC owns Olympic media rights in the U.S. through the 2012 London Games.

-- Greg Johnson

Photo: Misty May-Treanor (left) and teammate Kerri Walsh of the U.S. react during a Tuesday beach volleyball match against Brazil. The U.S. won and advanced to the gold medal match against China. Credit: Mark J. Rebilas/US PRESSWIRE

Comments

[ar]

i am not a Mexican, but having so many Mexican friends in USA and zero coverage of Mexicans in diving or any other sports that they did goo makes me think may be NBC is racist. NBC makes political statements but in reality we are in their mercy to watch when, what, who (communist idea ? )

[Bob]

Why in the world would NBC show Mexicans in the Olympics when there are SO many US athletes in these events? That's like me complaining that no Indian (and yes I'm of Indian descent) events were covered either. We live in the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, NOT Mexico. You think in Mexico, or Argentina, or England, or Russia, or Turkey, or India, or Australia, or Zimbabwe, they're showing predominantly American coverage? Get real!

There is no need to watch Mexicans compete. If they want to watch them, get the coverage off the Internet like many of us from other countries have to do. What? Just because Mexico is closer, there is some inherent right by Mexicans and other Latin American people to see their country participate over emigrants from other nations?

NBC would not have the ratings they do if they showed non-American athletics. It's about business but also about common sense. The US athletes have done so well in these Olympics, we should watch them. They are our countrymen and women. To not cheer them on and want to watch them is disrespectful.

It seems every other person in the world can be proud of their country but us. Truthfully, it's getting to be annoying. I'm proud to be an American and am thankful that I was given the chance to live here. Honestly those of you who have been here for generations have NO idea how good you've got it.

Lol the fact you'd insinuate that NBC showing predominantly US coverage in the Olympics is somehow racist or communist (nice grip of the concepts of Communism btw) is not only so unbelievably stupid and ignorant, it makes me sad. What about NBC's coverage of the Jamaican track team? Last I checked, they were beating the US Athletes solidly and yet NBC still covers them. Is that still racist? NBC is showing people what they want to see, which is why the ratings have been so good.