Salt Lake City again led all markets for the Summer Olympics, but with its lowest average since at least 1996.
Salt Lake City was the top market for NBC’s primetime coverage of the Rio Summer Olympics, averaging a 20.4 rating across 17 nights of coverage. The market has at least tied for the top spot for each Summer Games since 1996 and eight of the past nine Olympics overall, the lone exception being the Sochi Winter Games in 2014.
Despite leading all markets, Salt Lake City turned in its lowest rated Summer Olympics since at least 1996 (local ratings prior to 2000 were not available). The 20.4 rating declined 18% from London in 2012 (25.0), 12% from Beijing in 2008 (23.1), 22% from Athens in 2004 (26.0) and 5% from Sydney in 2000 (21.5).
Denver ranked second among Olympic markets with a 19.1 rating, down 14% from 2012 (22.1), down 17% from 2008 (23.1), and the market’s lowest average since 2000 (18.0).
Indianapolis was third with an 18.1, down 13% from 2012 (20.9) and down 15% from 2008 (21.3) to the lowest level since 2000 (17.5). Austin, TX (18.0, -9%) and Columbus, OH (17.8, -19%) rounded out the top five, the latter scoring its lowest rating since at least 1996.
Other markets hitting lows include Minneapolis (17.0, lowest since 16.6 in 2000) and San Diego (17.2, lowest since 16.5 in 2000). Notably, Albuquerque and Buffalo tied for 20th place with a 15.9 — a rating that would have been good for 52nd in 2012.
(Local numbers from NBC Sports Group Press Box)
