Coverage of the 2008 Beijing Olympics propelled NBC to a convincing win in the weekly ratings race.
NBC finished first for the week in total viewers (17.7 million) and among adults 18-49 (5.6/17), the best results for the network in both categories since the 2006 Winter Games. NBC beat the next best network by 211% in both total viewers and adults 18-49, its largest margin of victory since the 2004 Summer Games.
Friday’s Opening Ceremony drew 34.9 million viewers from 8-11:19 PM*, making it the top program of the week in total viewers. Olympics telecasts on Sunday (32.3 mil) and Saturday (24.1 mil) finished second and third, respectively.
Among adults 18-49, Sunday night coverage finished first for the week with an 11.2/31. The Opening Ceremony finished second (10.3/32), followed by Saturday night’s telecast (8.0/27).
* NBC’s coverage of the Opening Ceremony began at 7:30 PM and ended at midnight.
