Global TV Viewers Of Opening Ceremony Flat From 2012, IOC Says

Rio's opening ceremony drew 342 million global viewers, according to the IOC.

Compiling ratings data from dozens of markets is ongoing, but “if you ask me what’s my sort of prognosis on this, I think the global audience is going to be about the same as London, and London did 342 million,” Lumme said.

Despite that lack of growth, IOC officials believe TV ratings of the Games have been “very strong” in the Americas, where time zones are favorable. He said Brazil broadcaster Globo has recorded its highest ratings since the 2014 World Cup.

In the U.S., rights holder NBC has struggled with ratings declines, at times substantial, on linear TV over London. Lumme joined the network’s defenders who argue that those declined ratings reflect a shift of eyeballs to streaming platforms.

He estimated that half the world’s population has seen the Games on some platform.