Quick, somebody should start developing a Russian history TV series. At least based on the ratings for the Opening Ceremony.
From NBC:
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STAMFORD, Conn. – February 8, 2014 – NBC’s coverage of the Opening Ceremony of the Sochi Olympics averaged 31.7 million viewers to rank as the most-watched Opening Ceremony for a non-live Winter Games since the 1994 Lillehammer Games, according to live plus same day fast national data released today by The Nielsen Company. In addition, last night’s telecast ranks #2 all-time among most-watched non-live Winter Olympics Opening Ceremonies (chart below).
NBC SPORTS GROUP CHAIRMAN MARK LAZARUS: “Like Team USA, we’re off to a great start, and we’re gratified that the American audience tuned in in such large numbers for the tremendous Opening Ceremony from Sochi. It’s an early sign that our strategy of emphasizing primetime viewing is working, and we’re excited for the competition over the next two weeks.”
Viewership for the NBC telecast (8–11:08 p.m. ET/PT) was up 43% from the last non-live Winter Games Opening Ceremony (22.2 million for 2006 Torino Games) while last night’s 17.0/28 household rating/share produced a 33% increase over Torino (12.8/21).
Compared to the live (ET/CT) 2010 Vancouver Opening Ceremony, last night’s telecast was off only two percent in household rating (17.3/30) and three percent in viewership (32.7 million).
NBC scored the most dominant primetime Winter Olympics victory on record in Adults 18-49 with an 8.7 rating, and 235% above the combined ABC/CBS/FOX rating (based on People Meter, which dates to 1987).
MOST-WATCHED NON-LIVE WINTER OLYMPICS OPENING CEREMONIES, AVERAGE VIEWERS (P2+):
| 1. Lillehammer – 1994 | 33.8 Million CBS |
| 2. Sochi – 2014 | 31.7 Million NBC |
| 3. Nagano – 1998 | 27.2 Million CBS |
| 4. Albertville – 1992 | 24.0 Million CBS |
| 5. Torino – 2006 | 22.2 Million NBC |
TOP 20 METERED MARKETS FOR OPENING CEREMONY:
| Market | HH rating/share |
| 1. Minneapolis | 26.0/45 |
| 2. Salt Lake City | 24.4/43 |
| 3. Ft. Meyers | 21.7/34 |
| 4. Chicago | 21.6/34 |
| T5. Boston | 21.5/37 |
| T5. Kansas City | 21.5/34 |
| 7. Milwaukee | 20.7/35 |
| 8. Denver | 20.5/36 |
| T9. Portland | 20.4/33 |
| T9. Buffalo | 20.4/33 |
| 11. Washington, D.C. | 20.2/35 |
| 12. Columbus | 20.0/33 |
| 13. Sacramento | 19.4/30 |
| 14. Indianapolis | 19.3/32 |
| 15. St. Louis | 19.1/31 |
| T16. Norfolk | 19.0/30 |
| T16. Providence | 19.0/30 |
| T16. Dayton | 19.0/29 |
| 19. Pittsburgh | 18.9/29 |
| 20. Orlando | 18.7/29 |