15 reasons Summer Olympics are better than Winter Olympics
By Brad Weiss
13. Summer Games draw better ratings
The Winter games are a fun event, and millions of people tune in to check out the snowboarding, or figure skating. However, the Summer Games bring it every day, and the television ratings show that. Any Olympics is going to draw a good number, ratings-wise, but it is not even close when you compare the two.
During the 2012 London Olympics, the ratings were never higher. In fact, it was the most-watched program in TV history. In total, the 2012 Games were viewed by 219.4 million people, which was up from the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, which 215 million viewers watched.
“For 17 days, NBC Universal has surrounded the American viewer with the London Olympics, which have now become the most-watched event in U.S. television history,” said NBC Sports Group Chairman Mark Lazarus. “There are thousands of dedicated and talented people in London and New York who take great pride in being part of these historic Games and this television milestone.”
The Winter Olympics in 2014 could not even beat the ratings from the previous Games, which took place in 2010 in Vancouver, Canada. Viewership was down 12%, dipping from 24.4 million viewers to 21.4 million. The biggest event could not even draw, as closing ceremonies were watched by 15.1 million people, down from 21.4 in 2010.
The 2012 London Olympics drew an astounding 31.1 million viewers per day, with 31 million people tuning in for the closing ceremonies.
People just like the Summer Games more and the proof is always in the numbers.
Next: 12. Impact on major sports