[ahagotyou]

NBC's 17 nights of coverage of the 2010 Winter Olympics from Vancouver averaged 24.4 million viewers in prime time, according to Nielsen. Overall, about 190 million people watched some part of the games on NBC and its cable channels, putting the Vancouver games second in tune-ins only to the 1994 games in Lillehammer, Norway, which were seen by 204 million people.

The 24.4 million audience average is 21% higher than the 2006 Winter Games in Turin, Italy.

Although the ratings for NBC's coverage of the games were the highest since the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, the network is still expected to lose about $250 million. Bidding for the 2014 and 2016 games should be heating up in the next year or so. NBC already has the rights to the 2012 Summer Games in London.

What remains to be seen is whether all the promotional spots for NBC's prime-time lineup that ran during the games will help the network, which has been mired in fourth place this season in viewers and key demographics.

NBC Universal Sports Chairman Dick Ebersol said, "It's important to note how truly dominant our performance is because of the many choices available in the world today." Lillehammer may still hold the record, but Ebrsol noted that back then "the average home had less than 40 channels" and today people have an average of 130 channels and a much more robust Internet.

Among the highlights was Sunday's USA vs. Canada hockey match, which drew 27.6 million viewers, the most to watch a hockey game since the U.S. won the gold in that sport in 1980. The games also beat Fox's powerhouse "American Idol" twice in viewers and once in adults 18-49.

NBC is pleased about the numbers, but its coverage was not without controversy. The network continued with its practice of offering many events on tape delay in much of the country, which is tougher to do in the Internet era. That led to complaints that the network was not adjusting to today's media environment and NBC did later carry some key hockey games live across the country.

[br`lorance]

With the ratings they got though, they'll say that their tape delay idea worked.

[addifttiest]

With the ratings they got though, they'll say that their tape delay idea worked.

What really is the alternative? Showing the balance of events 'live' during mid afternoon and late afternoon (EST)? NBC can write another $100 million, at least, if theyd have done that.

[Evoncalabbalo]

Perhaps next time they will air more live hockey on NBC. It out-shined the ice fairies this go around.

[NADALA]

For any hockey game since the '80 Gold Medal Game, or any Olympic hockey game since then?

[M1iFiNmC]

Perhaps next time they will air more live hockey on NBC. It out-shined the ice fairies this go around.

NOT ratings wise.

Not even close. Never will, either.

[orillaVar]

NOT ratings wise.

Not even close. Never will, either.

I'm not sure why everyone watches that shit.

[priceyicey]

I'm not sure why everyone watches that shit.

Im not sure why ANYONE watches MEN's Figure Skating.

But anything with the Women, I can understand.

[limpoporanique]

NOT ratings wise.

Not even close. Never will, either.

Did figure skating top a 27.6?

[ThzinChang]

I'm not sure why everyone watches that shit.

Women.

Women love that stuff.

[pouslytut]

Did figure skating top a 27.6?

Thats a gold medal game

The first Canada vs USA game the Sunday prior drew a 4.3 on MSNBC. Ice Dancing, thats ICE DANCING, drew a 13.2 on NBC at the same time.

Would the number been higher if the game was on NBC. Sure, but in NO WAY would it have drawn higher than a 13.2.

Face it, hockey is a niche sport. Skating, in any form, will always outdraw, and reel in more casual viewers, than MOST any hockey game.

And will do it more consistently over the length of the Olympics. Which is why NBC had figure skating on damn near every night in Prime Time.

[reachmanxx]

I wonder what ice dancing would score on MSNBC. The only NBC hockey game scored a 27.6, I believe that shows that there is an interest in international hockey competition.

[masterso]

I wonder what ice dancing would score on MSNBC. The only NBC hockey game scored a 27.6, I believe that shows that there is an interest in international hockey competition.

You can wonder all you want because itll never happen.

Ice Skating is ratings GOLD in the Olympics. Its a fact.

Sure there was interest in the GOLD medal game between the two best teams. The FACT that NBC didnt even think twice about airing the first game (and made it WELL known leading up to the game) on the 'mother ship' is testament to just how much ice skating draws more than hockey.

[Ekrbcbvh]

Did figure skating top a 27.6?

Maybe you read the article wrong or what. I dont know. But the Gold medal hockey game drew in 27.6 million viewers according to the article.

The average, according to the article, for the entire Olympics was 24.4 million during prime time. Much of which included a fair amount of ice skating.

IF NBC thought theyd draw more than 24.4 million viewers in Prime Time airing hockey (which they NEVER would, not even by half), doesnt one think they would?

Also, the overnight rating for the hockey game was 17.6. An astounding number for hockey. But it took USA vs Canada to do it.

ANY other matchup, that didnt include Team USA and Canada (and all the buzz around it) wouldnt have even twitched the double digit meter....

[happyman]

I wonder what ice dancing would score on MSNBC. The only NBC hockey game scored a 27.6, I believe that shows that there is an interest in international hockey competition.

Keep in mind that there're a lot of Americans like myself who left hockey after the strike but still enjoy hockey not associated with Bettman's NHL.

I watched the World Jr's the other night for a bit and enjoyed it.