NBC ratings bounce back on Friday night

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NBC’s Friday primetime broadcast from the Beijing Games posted a higher rating (15.2) and more average viewers (25.6 million) than the comparable broadcast from the 2004 Athens Games (14.4 rating, 23.7 million viewers).

After besting Athens Games’ numbers since the opening ceremony on Aug. 8, NBC’s primetime ratings had suffered a double dip on Wednesday and Thursday nights. The network benefited on Friday night from having Michael Phelps back in the pool, where the U.S. athlete won yet another gold medal in yet another stunning finish.

NBC’s eight-day average primetime viewership is at 30 million, according to Nielsen Media Research data, up from 26.6 million during the comparable period during the Athens Games.

NBC’s 17.4 average primetime rating for the eight broadcast days is the highest since the 18.7 rating generated by the comparable period during the 1992 Barcelona Games. The first eight broadcasts during the 2004 Games generated a 16.0 rating, according to Nielsen data.

NBC Universal also reported on Saturday that NBCOlympics.com has generated 628 million page views, or 12% more than the combined totals for the 2006 Torino Games and the Athens Games. The website has generated 31.1 million video streams, or about three times what was streamed during the combined Torino and Athens Games.

-- Greg Johnson