The Milan Cortina Olympics were a massive success, attracting an impressive 23.5 million viewers in the United States, according to Nielsen. This marks a 96% increase in audience compared to the Beijing Games in 2022, making it the most-watched Winter Games since 2014. NBCUniversal's coverage, spanning live afternoon and prime-time slots, showcased stunning settings, unprecedented access to athletes, and innovative technology, all contributing to a captivating viewing experience. The games' success was further highlighted by the high viewership of the USA-Canada men's hockey match, with 8.7 million viewers in Canada alone when Jack Hughes scored the game-winning goal in overtime. NBC's executive producer, Molly Solomon, praised the Olympics' excitement, unpredictability, and the best performance by Team USA in an overseas Olympics. The network's ambitious schedule, including the Super Bowl, Olympics, and NBA All-Star Game in one month, resulted in a record-breaking 215.6 million viewers across the country. The Super Bowl 60 averaged 125.6 million viewers, while the All-Star Game and Lakers-Knicks game saw significant audience engagement. NBC Sports President Rick Cordella expressed satisfaction with the successful planning and execution, crediting the network's expertise for the outstanding viewership numbers.
