In a year dominated by the polls, one released by Gallup may or may not be bad news for NBC.
A Gallup poll taken in mid-July found that 48% of respondents planned to watch a “great deal” or “fair amount” of the upcoming Summer Olympics, down from 59% in 2012 and the smallest percentage since Gallup began asking the question in 2000.* A majority of respondents, 51%, said they would watch “not much” or “none at all.” The net score of -3 is well below 2012 (+18), 2008 (+13), 2004 (+18) and 2000 (+19).
Specifically, 21% of respondents said they would watch none of the Olympics, also the highest since Gallup began asking the question.
It should be noted that Gallup’s polling does not exactly parallel the television ratings. There was greater intent to watch the Olympics in 2000 and 2004 than in 2008, but the Beijing Games were a much stronger television draw than either Sydney or Athens. Furthermore, the proximity of Rio to the Eastern time zone — and resulting live primetime coverage of several major events — makes this year’s Olympics a strong candidate for higher television ratings than even London four years ago.
This year’s Olympic host city Rio has been the subject of numerous bad headlines for its lack of preparation for the Games. In addition, 2016 has been another divisive year nationwide — July especially — which may have cut into the feelings of national unity that usually accompany the Olympics.
* Gallup has only asked the question in Summer Olympic years. Considering the generally lower ratings of the Winter Olympics, one would imagine interest has been lower in those years.
(Data from Gallup)
