The Paris 2024 Olympics opening ceremony captivated an impressive 28.6 million viewers in the US, making it the most-watched start to a Summer Games since London 2012.
This event, aired by NBCUniversal, featured Olympic teams parading down the River Seine, musical performances by Lady Gaga and Celine Dion, a mesmerizing laser show at the Eiffel Tower, and even a quirky appearance by a semi-naked blue man on a fruit platter.
NBCUniversal, which has secured the US broadcast rights for the Olympics through 2032 with a $7.65 billion deal, saw a significant increase in viewership compared to the Tokyo 2021 Olympics, which had 17 million viewers.
The Rio 2016 ceremony attracted 26.5 million viewers, while the London 2012 opener had 40.7 million.
Meanwhile, Olympic Broadcasting Services CEO Yiannis Exarchos praised the unique vision of the Paris Games, aiming to showcase them in an unprecedented manner.
NBCUniversal had actively promoted its coverage plans, including celebrity appearances and advanced AI technology, to boost viewership.
