NBC is counting on a renewed interest in the Summer Olympics — with no global pandemic to push it back a year this time — to drive ratings for Paris 2024.
If the Team USA trials are an indication, the ratings might not return to pre-pandemic levels — but do signal a heightened interest compared to the Tokyo Games of 2021 postponed by COVID-19.
Biles and the women’s gymnastics team drew 7.6 million average viewers during Sunday night’s Olympic all-around qualifying meet, which Biles won to secure her third Olympic bid.
The audience peaked at 8.2 million viewers between 10 p.m. ET and 10:15 p.m. ET as the athletes completed their final rotation. Biles, reigning all-around gold medalist Suni Lee, Jordan Chiles, Jade Carey and Healy Rivera were selected to represent Team USA.
The COVID-delayed trials of 2021 led 5.9 million viewers to NBC and its other broadcast and streaming properties. This year’s number was a 24% increase from three years ago, but is down from 2016, the last regularly scheduled trials. That final averaged 8.6 million viewers.
