The Paris 2024 Olympics have proven to be a ratings bonanza for NBCUniversal, with substantial viewership growth across its platforms. NBC, Telemundo, and Peacock reported impressive gains compared to the Tokyo and Beijing Games, underscoring the enduring appeal of live sports, particularly on digital platforms. From a record-breaking Opening Ceremony to compelling performances in swimming, gymnastics, and basketball, Paris 2024 has captured the attention of millions of viewers.
NBCUniversal Ratings Surge Across All Platforms
NBC’s Total Audience Delivery (TAD) over the first four days averaged 33.8 million viewers, a 77% increase from Tokyo’s 19.1 million. Peacock’s streaming minutes have also soared, with usage up 25% over the combined totals of the Tokyo and Beijing Olympics. The Opening Ceremony was a standout success, with 28.6 million viewers—the largest audience for a Summer Olympics ceremony since London 2012.
Telemundo reported 44% growth from Tokyo, with 318,000 TAD across Telemundo, Peacock, and its digital platforms. Additionally, more than 12 million viewers have watched coverage on Telemundo and Universo.
Opening Weekend Highlights: Strong Sports Performance Drives Engagement
The first weekend of Paris 2024 showcased the power of live sports, generating massive viewership across multiple platforms. Key moments include:
– Opening Saturday: 32.4 million viewers (TAD), 83% above Tokyo’s first Saturday.
– Opening Sunday: 41.5 million viewers (TAD), nearly doubling Tokyo’s 21.7 million.
– Opening Monday: 31.3 million viewers, up 70% from the same day during the Tokyo Games.
Simone Biles led the U.S. women’s gymnastics team to the top score in qualifiers, while Torri Huske and Gretchen Walsh secured a 1-2 finish in the 100m butterfly. The U.S. women’s basketball team won its opening game against Japan, drawing 3 million viewers on USA Network and Peacock, surpassing all non-gold medal basketball games from Tokyo.
Telemundo’s Olympic Coverage Breaks Streaming Records
Telemundo achieved historic milestones across its platforms, with total minutes consumed surpassing 1.1 billion, a 65% increase from Tokyo.
– Opening Ceremony Performance: Telemundo’s live presentation drew 686,000 viewers, the highest Friday afternoon audience since the 2022 World Cup.
– Streaming Growth: Telemundo’s digital coverage of Paris 2024 nearly doubled Tokyo’s total minutes watched with 31 million minutes.
– Social Media Engagement: Telemundo reached 13 million views, a staggering 791% increase over the same period during the Tokyo Games, driven by TikTok and Instagram growth.
Sunday’s women’s soccer victory over Germany (4-1) was the most-viewed Paris event to date, drawing 731,000 viewers. The France vs. Guinea men’s soccer match followed closely behind with 589,000 viewers.
The Paris 2024 Olympics have redefined audience engagement, achieving remarkable growth across NBCUniversal’s TV and digital platforms. With record-breaking streaming numbers and strong performances in gymnastics, swimming, and basketball, NBC and its partners have positioned live sports as a must-watch event. Telemundo’s expanded streaming and social media strategy further highlights the changing dynamics of Olympic coverage, making Paris 2024 one of the most-watched and widely shared Games in history.
