Vancouver Olympics Most Watched Winter Games Ever
February 23rd, 2010
American skier Lindsey Vonn celebrates her Vancouver gold medal (photo courtesy of AP)
It’s not actually official yet since there’s still a lot of time left, but the IOC has looked a few days into the future to make a declaration: Vancouver Olympics most watched Winter Games ever. By the time it’s all over, they predict, more than 3.5 billion people will have caught some of the action on TV, the internet or a mobile device.
And that 3.5 billion number isn’t the only startling fact to come out of the ratings for the Vancouver Olympics. For the first time in its six year history, American Idol lost the ratings battle last Thursday night. For as long as its been on, Idol has been the top ranked show in the U.S. but the Olympics beat it.
In the U.S., TV ratings are up 21% compared to the last Winter Games, in Turin, Italy. Those great numbers are being helped by Vancouver being in a North American timezone, as well as some stellar athletic performances. American stars like Shaun White and Lindsey Vonn have turned in gold medal performances, which always helps draw in the viewers.
And the rest of the world is watching too. In fact, the event is being aired by over 300 broadcasters in more than 200 countries and territories. In the host country, 98% of Canadians have either watched or read about the games.
