Thanks to the Rio Olympics, NBC now has a new world record of its own.
The broadcaster has won 21 straight primetimes — including four following the closing ceremony. By the way, this is exactly what TheWrap wrote would happen yesterday. Not that we’re all keeping score on ourselves.
The Peacock has also taken 21 nights in a row in the advertiser-coveted 18-49 demographic, tying its own record from February 2002.
NBC’s streaks should end here, as CBS has the NFL football tonight, as those rights are exactly what helped NBC tackle Thursday. Tonight, NBC will air an “America’s Got Talent” encore and “Dateline NBC” — not disastrous for a summer Friday, but the lineup probably won’t compete with Browns at Buccaneers.
While the catalyst for the three-week run has clearly been the Summer Games, this week, four of five returning NBC shows have come back with higher ratings from their comparable pre-Olympic telecasts, despite the long break.
Specifically, that positive Rio hangover has aided “American Ninja Warrior,” “Running Wild With Bear Grylls,” “America’s Got Talent” (one out of its two opportunities) and “The Night Shift.” You’re welcome, Rio said.
Plus, it helped make “Better Late Than Never” the No. 1 new series premiere this summer, so long as we ignore ABC game shows, which were technically adapted from daytime TV. Of course, anything leading out of summer powerhouse “AGT” had the chance to wear that crown.
So, bravo, NBC — celebrate tonight. The broadcaster can soon pop some more champagne over the full-52-week season, which it will, presumably, win once-again.