Based on a very good day for Team USA in the Olympics, NBC’s ratings soared to finally take down the 800 lb. ratings gorilla that is known as American Idol. With live coverage of Shani Davis defending his 1,000 meters long track speed skating gold medal, Shaun White’s repeat gold in the snowboarding halfpipe, Apolo Anton Ohno in short track and delayed coverage of Lindsey Vonn winning the women’s downhill, the ratings for NBC gave the Peacock its first ever overnight win over American Idol. In the 9 p.m. hour when NBC and Fox went head-to-head, NBC easily took out Idol, 19.8-12.3.
Overall, NBC had an extremely strong 19.3 rating for its coverage from 8-11:15 p.m. It also marks the first time that American Idol has been beaten in the ratings.
Sports Business Daily’s Morning Buzz has the details of the ratings win plus other Olympics news. The publication’s Olympic site also says that Olympics beat Idol in most of the country’s metered markets.
I’m sure there will be a press release later today when the final ratings are out.
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