Overview
- NBCUniversal reported a 20.7 million average across NBC, Peacock and USA Network with a 26 million overtime peak, setting a U.S. record for any sporting event before 9 a.m. ET.
- Nielsen and Adobe Analytics measured the men’s hockey final at 18.6 million on average, well below the 27.6 million for Vancouver 2010 that benefited from a mid-afternoon U.S. start.
- NBC said the Milano Cortina Olympics averaged 23.5 million viewers, a 96% increase over Beijing 2022 and the most-watched Winter Games since Sochi 2014.
- NHL commissioner Gary Bettman called the numbers “terrific” but argued the 8:10 a.m. ET puck drop likely cost viewers, citing Closing Ceremony timing, and he is pressing for a later slot and more flexible highlight rights for 2030; he has discussed the issue with new IOC president Kirsty Coventry.
- Analysts credit social media clips and easier Peacock sharing for driving tune-in, while cautioning that past Olympic spikes have not reliably produced sustained NHL ratings gains.