http://www.mediabistro.com/tvnewser/2012-olympics-opening-ceremony-most-watched-ever-for-nbc-more-than-40-million-tune-in_b139482
For the record (already widely reported), NBC's ratings for the Opening Ceremonies were the highest in Olympic history (in the words of the linked note): "the 40.7 million average is higher than the 1996 Atlanta games, which had held the previous ratings record with 39.8 million viewers. Beijing 2008 drew 34.9 million viewers, and Athens 2004 drew 25.4 million." Another source said it was the highest rated US telecast since the Grammys and Oscars (which each were around 39M as I recall, so I guess that article was using an earlier, somewhat smaller rating for the OC). NBC is arguing this justifies their strategy of delaying the broadcast in the US, or, as they say "driving the audience to our primetime telecast). Saturday night's primetime show also had great ratings ( http://news.yahoo.com/overnight-ratings-first-night-134619586--oly.html) "the highest ratings for the first evening of an Olympics competition outside of the United States" - up 8% over China 4 years ago. I actually think NBC is getting close to the perfect formula now - at least for my habits. I am recording the overnight coverage on the cable members of the family, watching them as I have time and inclination during the next day. For the most part this does not include the premier events, but does get me engaged, and interested in watching the primetime show (which I am able to watch with enough of a buffer to FF through all commercials and most of the "up close and personals", which I mostly detest). I may watch some premier events live online as we go, as I did have one unfortunate spoiler (the first Phelps swimming event), or I may try to impose a more rigorous medial blackout on myself. In any case, I think making more events available during the day will have the net effect of increased viewership to the primetime show, which many critics have been arguing for a long time. -- TV or Not TV .... The Smartest (TV) People! You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "TV or Not TV" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/tvornottv?hl=en
