The opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Games has delivered strong audiences in the US, France and the UK.
28.6 million viewers watched on NBCUniversal platforms in the US, making it the most-watched launch for a summer Olympics since London in 2012. In addition, NBCU’s Spanish-language network Telemundo Deportes delivered 666,000 viewers.
The NBC broadcast network and NBCU’s streaming service Peacock are the company’s primary platforms for its coverage of the Games.
With coverage live in the afternoon in the US followed by a special primetime presentation, the ceremony’s audience was 60% larger than the Tokyo opening ceremony (17.9 million) and 8% bigger than the Rio opening ceremony (26.5 million).
NBCU said the opening ceremony was the most-streamed ever with more than 2.5 million viewers and ranks as the No. 1 entertainment event in Peacock history.
In the UK, 6.8 million people watched the coverage on BBC One, between 5.45pm and 10.40pm. The BBC said a peak of 7.9 million people tuned in.
For UK audiences, it is the first Games without a significant time difference since London 2012 when 22.4 million viewers watched the opening ceremony.
In France, the opening ceremony was watched by 23.2 million viewers on the France 2 linear channel and by a peak of 25.2 million.
Stephen Nuttall unveiled as new Chair of IBC’s Partnership Board
Stephen Nuttall has been appointed as the new Chair of IBC’s Partnership Board. Made up of representatives from each of the six partner organisations which own IBC (IABM, IEEE, IET, RTS, SCTE and SMPTE), the IBC Partnership Board provides the governance and strategic oversight of IBC.
Saleha Williams appointed CEO of IABM
Saleha Williams has been appointed as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of IABM.
Comcast sets leadership team for ‘SpinCo’ cable unit
US media and telco giant Comcast has unveiled the leadership team for SpinCo as it prepares to spin off its cable television portfolio later in the year.
Labour exploring ‘alternative funding options’ to BBC licence fee
UK Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy is reportedly considering scrapping the BBC licence fee at the end of the Corporation's current charter in December 2027.
BBC Director-General Tim Davie to head Creative Cities Convention speakers
BBC Director-General Tim Davie has been lined up as one of the key speakers at this year’s Creative Cities Convention, being held from May 7–8 in Bradford as part of its UK City of Culture 2025 celebrations.