A Gallup poll released Thursday indicates that the Paris Olympics might not see a significant boost in viewership among U.S. audiences, continuing the trend of low ratings experienced during the pandemic-affected Tokyo and Beijing Games.
Despite the enthusiasm for Simone Biles and women’s gymnastics, overall interest remains tepid, with only 35% of respondents indicating they will watch at least a fair amount of the Games. This is a decline from the 48% who expressed interest before the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics. The poll did not measure intentions for the Tokyo Olympics, which were delayed by a year due to the pandemic.
Simone Biles and women’s gymnastics are expected to be a highlight, with survey participants selecting it as their most anticipated event. This interest could potentially draw viewers, as 42% named women’s gymnastics their top anticipated sport, and about two-thirds included it in their top three.
Gallup Poll U.S. Viewership for Paris Olympics Expected to Remain Low Despite Enthusiasm for Women’s Gymnastics
However, this specific interest may not be enough to significantly boost overall viewership numbers, given the broader context of declining engagement with the Olympics.
The Tokyo Olympics saw NBC’s prime-time coverage attracting about half the audience compared to the previous Summer Games, and the Beijing Winter Olympics recorded the lowest-ever U.S. audience for a Winter Games.
Both events were conducted under strict restrictions that limited spectators and reduced the usual fanfare, contributing to the diminished interest. NBC, holding the broadcasting rights through 2032, is attempting to reverse this trend by incorporating entertainers and non-Olympian athletes into its coverage.
Time zone differences have also played a role in the decline of live prime-time viewership for the last three Olympics, including the 2018 Pyeongchang Games. This scheduling issue has restricted the amount of live action that NBC could air during prime viewing hours in the U.S., potentially affecting audience engagement and interest levels.
NBC did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the Gallup poll. While the network hopes that stars like Biles and the strong appeal of women’s sports will attract viewers, the overall sentiment from the poll suggests a continued struggle to captivate a large U.S. audience.
Women’s gymnastics, which starts with qualifying rounds on Sunday, remains a key event that could draw significant attention amidst generally low expectations for viewership.
