The 2008 Beijing Olympics were a major success for NBC.
Prime time coverage of the Olympics averaged a 16.2/28 rating and 27.7 million viewers, up 8% and 13% from a 15.0/26 and 24.6 million for the 2004 Athens Olympics. The 16.2 average is also up 17% from a 13.8/24 average for the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
The 16.2 average is the best for the Olympics since 2002, and the best for any non-U.S. Olympics since 1992.
Among local markets, Denver and Salt Lake City finished in a tie for first, with a 23.1 rating. Of the top ten markets, only Baltimore (21.1/35) and Columbus (20.4/35) were on Eastern Time.
NBC finished its coverage of the Olympics with the best non-U.S. Closing Ceremony ratings in 32 years. Sunday night coverage drew a solid 15.2/24 rating and 27.2 million viewers, up 28% and 39% from an 11.9/20 and 19.6 million for the final night of the 2004 Athens Olympics. The 15.2 rating also marks a 41% increase from a 10.8/17 for the last night of the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
The 15.2 rating is the best for a non-U.S. Closing Ceremony since the 1976 Montreal Olympics.
