As was the case with swimming, the U.S. Olympic Trials in women’s gymnastics and track & field were no match for four years ago.
Coverage of the U.S. Olympic Gymnastics Trials earned a 5.2 overnight rating on NBC Sunday night, down 21% from 2012 (6.6) but up 18% from 2008 (4.4). Keep in mind the 6.6 in 2012 was the highest for the gymnastics trials since 2000.
Sunday’s 5.2 is almost certainly the highest of this year’s Olympic Trials, regardless of sport. It topped every other sports telecast for the weekend, with the top non-gymnastics event (the Euro 2016 final) earning a 3.1.
On Friday, the first night of competition scored a 3.5 overnight. Comparable figures in 2012 were not available.
In other U.S. Olympic Trials action, the final night of track & field earned a 3.0 overnight Sunday evening — down 25% from 2012 (4.0) and down 30% from 2008 (4.3). The previous night scored a 2.3, down 49% from 2012 (4.5) but up a tick from afternoon coverage in 2008 (2.2). Friday night’s action drew a 2.8; comparable numbers in 2012 were not available.
(Wknd. numbers via Sports Business Daily)
