The 2014 Winter Olympics got off to a slower, but still impressive, start on NBC.
The Opening Ceremony of the Sochi Olympics earned an 18.5 overnight rating on NBC Friday night, down 8% from Vancouver in 2010 (20.0), but up 26% from Turin in 2006 (14.7). Compared to the Opening Ceremony of the London Summer Olympics in 2012, Friday’s overnight declined 20% from a 23.0.
Friday’s 18.5 is the third-lowest for the Opening Ceremony since at least 2000 (seven telecasts), ahead of only Turin in 2006 and Athens in 2004 (18.0).
Minneapolis, for the second straight night, was the top local market for NBC’s primetime coverage with a 26.0. Salt Lake City ranked second (24.4), followed by Ft. Myers, FL (21.7), Chicago (21.6), Boston (21.5).
Overnight Ratings For Opening Ceremony of the Olympics
Dating back to 2002
(NBC via The Futon Critic)
