NBC Universal's Beijing Olympic coverage was viewed by more Americans than any event in U.S. television history, according to data provided by Nielsen Media Research. NBCU's coverage reached 214 million total viewers, shattering the previous mark set by the 1996 Atlanta Olympics (209M) by five million viewers and surpassing the 2004 Athens Games (203M) by 11 million viewers.

The 2008 Beijing Summer Games averaged 27.7 million viewers and scored a 17-day rating of 16.2/28 to post significant gains over the 2004 Athens Games. Sunday night's Closing Ceremony had the best rating for any Summer Olympics Closing Ceremony outside the U.S. since the 1976 Montreal Games.

"This audience record is something I thought I'd never see again, but what really satisfied me is the way in which these Olympics truly captivated and seemed to inspire our country," said Dick Ebersol, Chairman, NBC Universal Sports & Olympics and Executive Producer of NBC Universal's Beijing Olympics coverage.

"For me, the greatest measure of success at an Olympics is the number of messages I receive from parents of young kids who have fallen in love with the Olympics. That child means more to me than anything because I think a love affair with the Olympics is the greatest in all of sports."

MOST VIEWED EVENTS IN American Television HISTORY

1. 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics, 214 million (17 days)

2. 1996 Atlanta Summer Olympics, 209 million (17 days)

3. 1994 Lillehammer Winter Olympics, 204 million (16 days)

4. 2004 Athens Summer Olympics, 203 million (17 days)

5. 1988 Seoul Summer Olympics, 194 million (17 days)

VIEWERS AND RATING BOTH UP SIGNIFICANTLY FROM ATHENS:

The Beijing Olympics 17-day average primetime viewership is 27.7 million, the best primetime average viewership for a complete Summer Olympics outside the U.S since Montreal in 1976, and 13 percent ahead of Athens in 2004 (24.6 million).

NBC's average of a 16.2 rating, 28 share is the best rating for a Summer Olympics outside the U.S. since Barcelona in 1992 (17.1/33) and is an eight percent increase over Athens in 2004 (15.0/26).

With the Beijing Olympics, NBC became the most dominant network in primetime for 17 consecutive nights since the advent of Nielsen People Meters in 1987. On each of its 17 nights of Beijing Olympic coverage, NBC enjoyed a 244 percent or greater lead over the nearest broadcast network in the adult 18 to 49 demographic (important to advertisers), a 225 or greater percent gain in viewers (persons 2+), and 200 or larger percent in household rating.

NBC also set records in Nielsen People Meter history for biggest margins over the combined major-network competition for three consecutive weeks, with wins of 24 percent or more over ABC, CBS and Fox combined for three straight weeks in 18-49 and 23 percent or more in total viewers.

OLYMPICS IN PRIMETIME DOMINATE COMPETITION:

In primetime, NBC's Beijing Games won all 100-rated half-hours against its entire network competition.

CLOSING CEREMONY BEST NON U.S. SUMMER RATING SINCE 1976:

Sunday's Closing Ceremony garnered 27.8 million average viewers, a 42 percent gain from the Closing Ceremony night in Athens (19.6 million). The night earned a 15.5 rating/25 share, a 30 percent increase from Athens (11.9/20). In both categories, the Closing Ceremony from Beijing was the best delivery for a Summer Olympics Closing Ceremony outside the U.S. since Montreal in 1976.

NBC Universal's 3,600 hours of Beijing Olympic coverage not only fueled record-breaking Olympic viewership, but also cast an Olympic "halo" across the many different divisions of NBC Universal. The unprecedented Olympic coverage drove record numbers of viewers to NBCU's cable networks; it also produced impressive gains in viewership and competitive advantage for NBC News' "Today," "NBC Nightly News," and NBC's affiliated stations.

NBCOLYMPICS.COM ON MSN POSTS RECORD NUMBERS: For the complete Beijing Games, NBCOlympics.com has more than doubled the combined totals for the Athens and Torino Games in page views and unique users, while increasing videos streamed by more than seven times.

VIDEO STREAMS: 75.5 million for Beijing, 10.8 million for Athens and Torino Games combined (+601%)

UNIQUE USERS: 51.9 million for Beijing, 25.2 million for Athens and Torino Games combined (+106%)

PAGE VIEWS: 1.24 billion for Beijing, 561.1 million for Athens and Torino Games combined (+122%)

HOUR OF VIDEO STREAMED: 9.9 million hours of video consumed through for Beijing Games is the equivalent of 1,126 years of video.

2008 Beijing Summer Olympics

NBC 2008 Beijing Olympics Set Record as Most-Viewed Event in US TV History.
Beijing 2008 Summer Olympics NBC Television Ratings

NBC Universal's Beijing Olympic coverage was viewed by more Americans than any event in U.S. television history, according to data provided by Nielsen Media Research. NBCU's coverage reached 214 million total viewers, shattering the previous mark set by the 1996 Atlanta Olympics (209M) by five million viewers and surpassing the 2004 Athens Games (203M) by 11 million viewers.

Kenya's Samuel Kamau Wansiru Sets New Olympic Record to Win Beijing Olympics Marathon.
Men's Olympic Marathon: Samuel Kamau Wansiru Gold, Jaouad Gharib Silver, Tsegay Kebede Bronze

Samuel Kamau Wansiru of Kenya set a new Olympic Record in the marathon with a time of 2:06:32 to win the Beijing Olympics Marathon. Wansiru is the first marathoner representing Kenya to ever win a Men's Marathon at the Olympics.

Olympics Women's Soccer: United States Defeats Brazil 1 - 0 to Capture Back-to-Back Olympic Golds
USA Olympic Team Captain Christine Rampone & Teammates Give Views on Winning Gold Medal

The United States defeated Brazil by a score of 1 - 0 in the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics women's soccer final. The only goal of the match coming in the sixth minute of extra time (96') from Carli Lloyd. Lloyd blasted a left-footed shot from outside the box that caught the lower left-hand corner of the goal.

Marathoners Jaouad Gharib & Mubarak Hassan Shami Preview 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics Men's Marathon
Men's Marathon at the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics

This year's Olympic Marathon is even more difficult to predict given the deep field of highly talented runners which is compounded by the summer heat, humidity and often-talked about Beijing pollution.

If Beijing's pollution is to play a part in these Olympics, the Men's Olympic Marathon race is the likeliest of candidates to be impacted.

Oddly enough, the fastest time run in an Olympics Marathon was at the 1984 Los Angeles Summer Olympic Games. Los Angeles is known for its notorious smog conditions.

Cuban Olympian Dayron Robles Shares his Impressions on Men's Hurdles Gold Medal and the Absence of China's Liu Xiang
Cuban Olympian Dayron Robles Wins Men's 110 meter Hurdles at 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics

Dayron Robles claimed Olympic gold in the 110m hurdles in Beijing. The 110-meters hurdles event took place without former World record holder and Athens 2004 Summer Olympics Gold Medalist Liu Xiang of China who pulled out due to injury. Robles went on to comfortably win the gold medal, posting a time of 12.93 seconds in the Men's 110-meter hurdles final.

Olympics Women's Gymnastics: American Nastia Liukin Leaves Beijing with 5 Medals
USA Women's Gymnast Nastia Liukin Celebrates Her 5 Gymnastics Medals

Nastia Liukin earned her fifth Olympic medal, a silver medal in the balance beam final, on August 19 at the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics. Nastia's most impressive victory was in the much coveted women's individual all-around gold medal. She barely beat fellow American Shawn Johnson by 0.6 points.

Germany's Britta Heidemann Shares her Impressions on Fencing Gold Medal
Germany's Britta Heidemann Wins Womens Individual Epee Fencing at 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics

Germany’s fencing gold medalist Britta Heidemann is something of a celebrity in China, having spent three months here at the age of 15. A Chinese student at Cologne University, the 26 year old became the centre of media attention when she fielded press conference questions in Chinese at the Beijing Olympics. Fans have affectionately named her ‘little moon.’

8-time Gold Medalist Michael Phelps

American Swimmer Michael Phelps Wins 8th Gold Medal
Strokes His Way to History at the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics

Michael Phelps set the record for most gold medals in a single Olympics, winning his eighth gold medal of the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympic Games as a member of the winning American 4x100 medley relay team.

100-Meter Hurdles Silver Medalist Sally McLellan of Australia: 'It's Just so Exciting for Me'
Australia's Sally McLellan Silver Medalist Women's 100-meter Hurdles at 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics

Australia's Sally McLellan surprisingly won a silver medal in the women's 100 metres hurdles at the Beijing Olympics. Sally's pure joy and refreshing celebration at the end of the 100 meter hurdle finals with bronze medalist Priscilla Lopes-Schliep of Canada has touched many. In Australia, she has become the darling of the country and achieved instant celebrity status.

Great Britain's Christine Ohuruogu Winning Women's Olympic 400-meter Gold Has Not Sunk in Yet
Christine Ohuruogu Wins 400 meters at 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics

While winning the Olympic 400-meter gold medal has not sunk in yet, Christine Ohuruogu of Great Britain says she is 'very happy.' Christine Ohuruogu is the first British woman to win the Olympic 400 meters.

Olympic Record Breaking Britta Steffen: 'I Swam With my Eyes Closed'
Double Gold Medal Winning Swimmer Britta Steffen of Germany

Olympic Record breaking and double gold medal winning Britta Steffen of Germany says she swam the first 50 meters of the 100m Freestyle final with her eyes closed to avoid being distracted by her opponents.

Chris Hoy of Great Britain Wins 3 Gold Medals in Cycling; First Brit to Win 3 Gold Medals in a single Olympics
2008 Beijing Summer Olympics: Men's Cycling Gold Medalist

Having made Olympic history, Great Britain's cycling star Chris Hoy said he felt like he was in a dream. Chris Hoy became the first British athlete in 100 years to win three gold medals in a single Olympics. During the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics, Chris Hoy won gold medals in the men's sprint, the team sprint and the Keirin event.

Great Britain's Cycling Gold Medalist Victoria Pendleton: "It's Something Completely Special"
2008 Beijing Summer Olympics: Women's Track Cycling Gold Medalist

Victoria Pendleton defeated Anna Meares of Australia to earn her Olympic gold medal in the women's track cycling sprint finals. The 27-year-old explains in her interview that without the disappointment of the 2004 Athens Summer Olympics, she wouldn’t have modified her training program for the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics.

Argentina vs. Nigeria 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics Soccer Finals
2008 Beijing Summer Olympics: Men's Soccer Final Argentina vs. Nigeria

In an interview ahead of Saturday's Soccer Olympic final, Nigerian football coach Samson Siasia believes Nigeria can win the gold medal

Spitz Comparisons Motivated Phelps to Achieve Record
2008 Beijing Summer Olympics: Mark Phelps Interview on Mark Spitz Achievement as Motivation

After winning a record eight gold medals in one Olympics, U.S. swimmer Michael Phelps says he was partially motivated by people saying no one could ever duplicate Mark Spitz’s achievement.

Nelson Evora of Portugal Wins Men’s Triple Jump
2008 Beijing Summer Olympic Gold Medal: Nelson Evora Men's Triple Jump

Nelson Evora won the men's triple jump at the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics. Evora won the gold medal with a jump of 17.67 meters beating silver medalist Phillips Idowu of Great Britain by 5 centimeters (17.62 meters). Leevan Sanders of the Bahamas won the bronze medal with a triple jump of 17.59 meters. This is the first Olympic Gold Medal in 12 years for Portugal and only the third gold medal for Portugal in Track & Field ever.

Michael Phelps on Winning His 8 Gold Medals, the USA Swim Team, His Support & Motivation at Beijing
2008 Beijing Summer Olympics: Michael Phelps Interview

After surpassing Mark Spitz' performance of winning seven Gold medals in one Olympic Games with eight of his own, Michael Phelps says that he is ready to get more gold medals at the 2012 Summer Olympic Games in London.

Russian Pole Vaulter Yelena Isinbayeva Wins Gold, Sets New World Record
2008 Beijing Summer Olympics Gold Medalist

Yelena Isinbayeva -- who has dominated women's pole vaulting since wining at the 2004 Athens Summer Olympics -- said she did not want to disappoint her fans by only winning the gold medal and not breaking her own world record at the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics.

100 Meter Sprinter Derrick Atkins of the Bahamas is 'Beyond Hungry' for Gold
2008 Beijing Summer Olympics

Despite finishing second in the 2007 World Championships (Osaka, Japan) with a time 9.91 seconds, Derrick Atkins is not considered a favorite to medal in the 100 meters at the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics. Leading up to the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics the focus on the 'World's Fastest Man' Title has been on Tyson Gay, Usain Bolt and Asafa Powell. Derrick Atkins makes a great case as to why he should not be merely an afterthought in the Men's 100 meters.

2004 Olympic Men's 400 Meter Champion Jeremy Wariner is Excited to Get Closer to the First Round
2008 Beijing Summer Olympics

One month after losing to fellow American LaShawn Merritt in the US Olympic trials in July, two-time Olympic and World Champion 400 meter runner Jeremy Wariner talks about Merritt, his mental preparations for the event and how he plans to defend the 400m gold medal he won in Athens.

Women's 200 Meter Champion Veronica Campbell-Brown of Jamaica: "Everybody in the Final is a Contender"
2008 Beijing Summer Olympics

Olympic 200 meter Champion Veronica Campbell-Brown explains that Allyson Felix will be her main rival for the Olympic crown but also that everybody who makes it to the final has a good chance of winning.

American 100 Meter Sprinter Darvis Patton: "Usain Bolt is a Freak of Nature"
2008 Beijing Summer Olympics

America's Darvis Patton shares his thoughts on his chances of medal at the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics ahead of the 100 meter final on August 16. His expected competitors for the gold medal are World Champion Tyson Gay, former world record holder Asafa Powell and Jamaica’s Usain Bolt, who Patton has described as a ‘freak of nature’.

American Pole Vaulter Jennifer Stuczynski: "I Will Clear the Same Heights as Yelena Isinbayeva"
2008 Beijing Summer Olympics

America's Jennifer Stuczynski says it's only a matter of time before she is clearing the same heights as the Olympic and World Record holder Yelena Isinbayeva of Russia.

100 Meters Sprinter Asafa Powell Looks to be Peaking Just in Time
2008 Beijing Summer Olympics

With 3 consecutive victories on the Grand Prix Circuit in the Men's 100 meters, Asafa Powell appears to have emerged as the favorite to win the Men's 100 meters at the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics.

French Cyclist Jeannie Longo Competing in Her 7th Olympics
2008 Beijing Summer Olympics

For French Cyclist Jeannie Longo the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics will be her seventh time competing in the Olympics. Even though she's almost a half-century old (born October 31, 1958), Longo is still setting her sights high.

Roger Federer Aiming for Gold in Olympics Tennis
2008 Beijing Summer Olympics

Swiss tennis ace Roger Federer has lost his world number one ranking but is gunning for Gold in the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics tennis championship. As one of Switzerland's main medal hopes, he will be carrying his nation's flag during the opening ceremony on Friday.

Ian Thorpe, Australia, Mens Swimming
2008 Beijing Summer Olympics

Britta Steffen, Germany, Women's Swimming
2008 Beijing Summer Olympics

Martyn Rooney, Great Britain, Men's 400 Meters
2008 Beijing Summer Olympics

The World's Fastest Men Speak Out Ahead of the Aviva London Grand Prix
2008 Beijing Summer Olympics

Beijing Summer Olympics Men's Javelin Defending Olympics Champion Andreas Thorkildson
2008 Beijing Summer Olympics

Norwegian Olympic javelin gold medalist Andreas Thorkildson says that in addition to training hard, luck will play a big part in preserving his title in Beijing in August

Beijing Summer Olympics Men's Triple Jump Favorite Nelson Evora
2008 Beijing Summer Olympics

Triple Jump Favorite Nelson Evora of Portugal discusses his standing as the favorite in the Men's Triple Jump at this summer's Olympics

Games to Set New Standard for Anti-Doping Efforts
2008 Beijing Summer Olympics

The anti-doping effort at the Beijing Summer Games will be more extensive than ever, says the International Olympic Committee (IOC). More than 4,500 tests will be administered, amounting to 25 percent more than those conducted in the 2004 Games in Athens and 90 percent more than the number of tests in Sydney in 2000.

Team USA Track and Field Roster Set for Beijing
2008 Beijing Summer Olympics

An experienced American team featuring 15 Olympic medalists, 31 World Outdoor Championships medalists and 11 individual outdoor American record holders will represent the United States in track & field competition at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China.

Yelena Isinbayeva Ready to Beat Her Pole Vault World Record in Beijing
2008 Beijing Summer Olympics

Yelena Isinbayeva is considered the favorite for the upcoming Beijing Olympics (August 8 - 24). She won the 2004 Olympic Gold Medal with a new World Record (then 4.91 m). On July 22, 2005, Yelena Isinbayeva became the first female pole vaulter to clear 5.00 metres.

NBC to Provide Unprecedented Coverage of the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics
2008 Beijing Summer Olympics

NBC Universal, broadcasting its record 11th Olympics, will present an unprecedented 3,600 hours of Beijing Olympic Games coverage, the most ambitious single media project in history.

Sprinter Tyson Gay Shares His Expectations for the Beijing Olympics
2008 Beijing Summer Olympics

American sprinter Tyson Gay recently made headlines for his 9.68-second win in the 100-meter dash during the Olympic trials (June 29, 2008). Tyson Gay is considered one of the favorite contenders for the upcoming Beijing Olympics (August 8 - 24).

100-Meter Record Holder, Jamaican Sprinter Usain Bolt, Prepares for Beijing Olympics
2008 Beijing Summer Olympics

Since establishing the world record of 9.72 seconds in the 100-meter race at the Reebok Grand Prix on May 31, 2008, Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt is one of the most eagerly-awaited athletes of the upcoming Beijing Olympics.