ABC Takes Nielsen Gold On Third Night Of Olympics, NBC Still Podiums

With all the recent on-demand business deals for TV networks, it's been a new world order. Now, throw in the business of the Olympics.

ABC took on rare honors in becoming the first network in 18 years to beat a network among 18-49 viewers on a Sunday night that aired programming featuring Olympics competition.

ABC's ratings averaged a 7.7 on Sunday night--7 percent higher than NBC's Torino Winter Olympics, thanks to new episodes from the double-trouble tandem of "Grey's Anatomy" and "Desperate Housewives"--which were the number one and two programs of the night. For the evening, NBC averaged a 7.2 in adults 18-49.

Not only that, but ABC improved over 20 percent from last year's adults 18-49 numbers, and by three million viewers overall.

Still, NBC did claim a big winning night overall, noting that its average household numbers for Sunday night were 13.5 rating--tops over ABC's 12.1 rating. Both NBC and ABC well outdistanced CBS' 5.8 and Fox' 3.6 respective number. NBC averaged 23.6 million viewers. ABC was next, with 20.1 million. CBS with 8.7 million and Fox with 5.8 million were next.

advertisement

advertisement

As opposed to some previous Olympics, where networks ran and hid with rerun programming against the all-powerful Olympics broadcasts, ABC, CBS, and Fox said they each would be going head to head against NBC's big event.

Although it didn't win the first major night of major programming competition, NBC has been on target with its ratings guarantees to advertisers--which, according to media buying executives, were in the 12-14 household rating range.

Next story loading loading..