NBC's Olympic Ratings: Gold

Phelps' record-breaking swim is highlight of network's bonanza
By Harry Kimball,  Newser Staff
Posted Aug 20, 2008 2:02 PM CDT
NBC's Olympic Ratings: Gold
Aaron Peirsol, left, and Michael Phelps wear medals after their victory.   (AP Photo)

NBC’s Olympic coverage smashed the competition last week, in what Variety suggests could be the most decisive rout in television history. Viewership was buoyed by Michael Phelps’ record-breaking gold-medal performance Saturday; in addition, NBC’s various networks reached a staggering 83% of the US. The margins were the biggest in Nielsen ratings history.

NBC sucked most of the country into its Olympic coverage, with its prime-time coverage last week beating the next 12 networks combined. Audiences stayed up later to continue watching the popular swimming and gymnastics finals, though this week’s track-and-field-heavy slate could put a dent in the ratings bonanza. (More TV ratings stories.)

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