Record Olympic Viewership Highlights Global Appeal

The Paris 2024 Olympic Games have captured the attention of millions around the globe, underscoring the allure and unparalleled reach of the event.

In Australia, nearly half the population has already engaged with Nine’s coverage, with over 10.7 million Australians tuning into the broadcast. Day 1 alone saw Nine’s metro broadcast reach 5.4 million people, with an additional 2.4 million in regional areas and 2.3 million on 9Now. The Opening Ceremony and Day 1 coverage on free-to-air TV secured a National Total TV Reach of 10.477 million across Channel 9, 9Gem, and 9Now.

Prime-time coverage, particularly the Day 1 Night Session, dominated with a national Total TV Reach of 4.583 million and a BVOD audience of 211,000. This session included one of the most-watched Men’s Boomers basketball games in Australian history. Similarly, the Kookaburras’ victory over Argentina attracted a National Total TV Reach of 4.007 million.

The Opening Ceremony itself drew 2.138 million viewers during its live broadcast, despite airing from 3.30 am to 7.15 am. A replay in the afternoon reached an additional 4.616 million. By the end of Day 1, viewers had streamed 309 million minutes of content on 9Now, marking the platform’s most-watched day ever.

Nine’s Chief Sales Officer, Michael Stephenson, highlighted the success, stating, “Day 1 of the Olympic Games has once again proven the power of Total Television and delivered amazing results for our partners, sponsors, and package holders. Our cross-platform proposition for brands has been an enormous success. 16 days to go. Bring it on.”

In the United States, NBCUniversal reported a significant increase in viewership compared to recent Olympics. The opening ceremony averaged 28.6 million viewers across various platforms, the highest since 2012 and a 60% increase from the Tokyo Games. The first full day of competition saw even greater numbers, with an average of 32.4 million viewers, marking an 83% improvement from Tokyo.

These robust figures reflect the enduring power of the Olympics to captivate audiences, rivalling top regular-season or wild-card NFL games. As the Games progress, viewership is expected to grow further, reinforcing the Olympics as a dominant force in global sports media.

The impressive viewership numbers from both Australia and the U.S. reaffirm the Olympics’ position as a premier global sporting event. The extensive coverage and substantial audience engagement highlight the Games’ ability to unite people worldwide, offering brands an unparalleled platform to reach diverse audiences.