The 2008 Beijing Olympics is in a league of its own when it comes to television ratings.
Prime time broadcasts of the Olympics on NBC were the seven highest rated programs of the week, blowing away all other competition. The lowest rated night of the Olympics drew a 15.4/28 rating and 26.1 million viewers, 191% and 223% higher than the next best program — a rerun of Two and a Half Men on CBS that drew a 5.3/8 and 8.1 million viewers.
The highest rated program of the week was Tuesday night’s Olympics broadcast, which drew a stellar 19.9/34 and 34 million viewers overall, with a 12.4 with 16.2 million in the key adults 18-49 demo.
Coverage on Thursday night finished second in ratings and fourth in total viewers with a 17.9/31 and 29.7 million, followed by Saturday night coverage, which finished third in ratings and second in total viewers, with a 17.8/32 and 31.6 million. The strong numbers for coverage on Saturday, traditionally the lowest rated night of the week, are a testament to the drawing power of Michael Phelps, who won his record eighth gold medal of the Olympics that night.
Rounding out the top seven is coverage from last Monday (17.6/29, 30.2 mil), Wednesday (16.7/28, 27.7 mil), Sunday (16.0/27, 27.2 mil) and Friday (15.4/28, 26.1 mil).
Overall, NBC averaged a 16.8/28 with 28.7 million viewers in prime time last week, 394% and 463% better than second-place CBS (3.4, 5.1 mil). Among adults 18-49, the gap was even greater, as NBC’s 9.6 rating was 638% better than the 1.3 for second-place CBS.
