Perhaps that Gallup poll was onto something.
Tape-delayed coverage of the Rio Olympics Opening Ceremony earned a 16.5 overnight rating on NBC Friday night, down 28% from London in 2012 (23.0) and down 23% from Beijing in 2008 (21.5). Compared to the Opening Ceremony of the most recent Olympics, the 2014 Winter Games in Sochi, overnights dropped 7% from an 18.5.
The 16.5 overnight is tied as the lowest for the Opening Ceremony of a Summer Olympics since at least 1980, matching Barcelona in 1992. Overall, it tied the third-lowest mark over that span, ahead of only Turin in 2006 (14.7) and Albertville in 1992 (16.0).
Keep in mind the numbers released by NBC cover only the 8-11:30 PM ET portion of the telecast, excluding both the first and last half-hour. With those portions included, it is likely the numbers would have been even lower.
Overnights peaked at a 19.0 from 10-10:15 PM ET, as the United States delegation marched during the Parade of Nations. Because the United States translates into Estados Unidos in Brazil’s native language Portuguese, the U.S. appeared an hour earlier in alphabetically-ordered parade than in 2012.
Friday’s telecast does not rank as the summer’s top sporting event in the metered markets, trailing Game 7 of the NBA Finals on ABC in June (18.9). It is still possible that the Opening Ceremony will come out ahead when the final numbers are released.
(Fri. numbers from NBC Sports)
