NBC’s Rio Olympics struck gold (medals) on Tuesday, thanks to swimming, gymnastics and the big stars that come with the competitions, like Michael Phelps, Katie Ledecky and Simone Biles.
The winning broadcaster averaged 33.6 million total viewers across primetime, per fast affiliate numbers, which are not finalized and subject to change. Its 9.9 Nielsen rating/33 share in the advertiser-sought 18-49 demographic was also the network’s best result thus far.
ABC finished in a very distant second place last night in the demo, with a new “Bachelor in Paradise,” and the premiere of the dating series’ after-show. CBS was runner-up in total viewers.
The Disney-owned net was second in ratings with a 0.7/2 and third in viewers with 2.5 million. “Bachelor in Paradise” at 8 p.m. ET had a 1.1/4 and 3.9 million viewers. “After Paradise” at 9 got a 0.5/2 and 2.4 million viewers. Reruns followed.
CBS, Univision and Telemundo tied for third in ratings, each with a 0.6/2. CBS was second in total viewers with 4.3 million; Univision was fourth with 1.6 million; Telemundo was fifth with 1.5 million.
For CBS, sandwiched between repeats, “Zoo” at 9 p.m. ET received a 0.6/2 and 3.6 million viewers.
Fox and the CW tied for sixth in ratings, both with a 0.3/1. Fox was sixth in total viewers with 993,000, airing reruns; CW was seventh with 931,000.
For CW, following a repeat, “MADtv” managed a 0.3/1 and 861,000 viewers.