Salt Lake City, the top market for every Olympics since at least 2000, is leading the way again in London. In other news, the PGA Tour and Red Sox/Yankees did not fare well opposite Olympic competition.
- Salt Lake City Leads Olympic Markets — Yet Again: Through eight nights, Salt Lake City has been the highest rated television market for primetime coverage of the 2012 London Olympics, averaging with a 27.4 rating. Salt Lake City is in the midst of a remarkable run as the nation’s top Olympic TV market, having led all markets for every Olympics since the turn of the century: Vancouver in 2010 (21.3), Beijing in 2008 (23.1 — tie), Turin in 2006 (21.6), Athens in 2004 (26.0), Salt Lake City in 2002 (38.9), and Sydney in 2000 (21.5). (This year’s average from NBC Universal Media Village)
- Huge Declines For PGA RBC Canadian Open: Final round coverage of the PGA Tour RBC Canadian Open earned a 0.8 final rating on CBS last Sunday afternoon, down a whopping 56% from last year (1.8), and down 33% from 2010 (1.2). Competition from the 2012 London Olympics no doubt impacted the numbers. The previous day, third round action drew a 0.6 final rating — down 40% from last year (1.0), and down 25% from 2010 (0.8). (Weekend numbers from Sports Business Daily)
- Red Sox/Yankees No Match For Olympics: Last week’s Red Sox/Yankees ‘Sunday Night Baseball’ game drew a 1.4 U.S. rating and 2.134 million viewers on ESPN opposite the Olympics — down 7% in ratings and 8% in viewership from Braves/Reds on the comparable night last year (1.5, 2.324M), and down 7% and 6%, respectively, from Dodgers/Giants in 2010 (1.5, 2.278M). (Weekend numbers from Sports Business Daily)
