Data: Nielsen, Sports Media Watch; Note: 2020 Olympics were held in 2021; Chart: Axios Visuals
NBC is betting on an Olympics-sized TV ratings rebound now that the Games are free of COVID-era disruptions, coupled with the scenic backdrop of Paris.
Why it matters: If the Olympics audience keeps dwindling, NBC's $7.8 billion rights deal to televise the Games through 2032 starts to look like an albatross.