The Olympics closed Sunday night with 20.5 million average viewers in prime time on NBC, according to early Nielsen estimates, wrapping up a run that’s expected to total more than 187 million total viewers for the Vancouver Games — which would make it the second-most-watched Olympics ever, after the Tonya Harding/Nancy Kerrigan scandal-fueled Lillehammer Games in 2004. Sunday’s widely watched closing ceremonies also boosted their lead-out, the premiere of new reality show The Marriage Ref to a solid 14.5 million viewers in prime time. Saturday night’s Olympic viewership scored another 19.7 million viewers for NBC and 23.5 million on Friday — on both nights, significantly more viewers than all the other broadcast networks combined.
Here, a look at Sunday night’s lineup:
| Time | Show | Viewers (in millions) |
|---|---|---|
| 7 p.m. | 2010 Winter Olympics (NBC) 60 Minutes (CBS) America’s Funniest Home Videos (ABC) ‘Til Death (Fox) |
20.5 10.7 7.9 2.5 |
| 7:30 p.m. | ‘Til Death (Fox) | 3.1 |
| 8 p.m. | The Amazing Race XVI (CBS) Extreme Makeover: Home Edition (ABC) The Simpsons (Fox) |
10.2 6.7 (repeat) 5.4 (repeat) |
| 8:30 p.m. | The Cleveland Show (Fox) | 5.1 (repeat) |
| 9 p.m. | Undercover Boss (CBS) Desperate Housewives (ABC) Family Guy (Fox) |
15.1 10.8 5.8 (repeat) |
| 9:30 p.m. | American Dad (Fox) | 4.7 (repeat) |
| 10 p.m. | Cold Case (CBS) Brothers & Sisters (ABC) |
9.8 8.0 |
| 10:30 p.m. | The Marriage Ref (NBC) | 14.5 |
Source: Nielsen
Pretty sure Lillehammer was 1994, 2004 was the Summer Olympics in Athens.
totally right, step
It was a good competition this year though. Glad people are still interested in the Olympics.
Why am I finding it hard to read the title of this article?
Because it’s not well Engrish.
Hmmm, most likely the ubiquitous usage of a little alliteration.
Because it is horribly written?
I know it is morning but c’mon, we need someone to write cohearent(sp) sentances
Back to 4th place starting tonight for NBC!
And now, NBC, it’s time to return to low ratings!
NBC viewers missed one hell of a wrap up (for those that couldn’t stay up after the local news). The performers were awesome. Loved the Canadian content. A great ending to a great Olympics. Congrats to the US for breaking the record of most medals.
Did this happen to anyone else-They cut the ceremony in half?
Started watching it and they cut it off…….
Yeah this did on NBC. As a Canadian, you didn’t miss much. It turned into a party for the athletes which featured the three worst Canadian artists. For a country that great music, they simply went for the most recognizable opposed to ones with talent.
Thanks, I had thought it was just me, but after reading other comments. My husband is Canadian and said it was just horrid-I have to agree. I know our southern neighbors are MUCH better than that.