TV Ratings: Rio Olympics Rise, Nearing London Numbers
The 2016 Summer Olympics are starting to deliver for NBC.
Monday night’s primetime coverage of competition from Rio drew 28.8 million total viewers, according to Nielsen overnight numbers. That’s the largest audience for the games so far, and down only 9% from the equivalent night from London in 2012.
NBC’s Olympics coverage posted a 10.3 rating among adults 18-49. That is down only 3% from the equivalent night in London in 2012. It is also a 13% increase from Sunday night’s primetime rating.
NBC continued to narrow the gap between London and Rio, which was especially wide for Friday night’s opening ceremony and the first night of competition Saturday.
NBC also reported that it’s digital platforms drew 13.4 million unique viewers to Olympics coverage, hitting a best-ever mark for the third straight day.
Both the demo and total-viewership number are likely to change when Nielsen reports final ratings later today.
Monday night’s broadcast was heavy with swimming competition, where the U.S. team performed well, earning 6 medals.
ABC was the only broadcaster to air original programing against the Olympics, with “Bachelor in Paradise” drawing a 1.4 demo rating and “Mistresses” drawing a 0.5. ABC averaged a 1.1 rating and 4 share. CBS (0.6/2), Fox (0.3/1), and the CW (0.3/1) aired reruns.
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