In a stunning achievement for NBCUniversal, the Paris Olympics 2024 Opening Ceremony captivated millions of viewers, shattering expectations and setting records for the media company. According to Nielsen and Adobe Analytics, nearly 29 million viewers tuned in for the extravagant event, marking a significant 60% increase from the pandemic-delayed Tokyo Olympics held in 2021.

The Total Audience Delivery on NBC and Peacock reached an impressive 28.6 million viewers, representing an 8% surge compared to the 2016 Rio Opening Ceremony. Telemundo Deportes also added to the success, attracting an additional 666,000 viewers. These extraordinary figures make the Paris Olympics 2024 Opening Ceremony the most-watched since the remarkable London 2012 Opening Ceremony, which drew an astounding 40.7 million viewers.

The comparison to previous Summer Games is unique due to the pandemic's impact on the Tokyo Olympics, which took place without spectators in empty stadiums. Prior to this, all Summer Games on NBC and other NBCU-controlled channels and outlets were in the pre-streaming era. Therefore, direct audience comparisons may not be entirely accurate given NBCU's shift towards programming for their streaming platform, Peacock.

Notably, the Paris Opening Ceremony saw unprecedented streaming numbers, with 2.5 million viewers making it the most-streamed event in Peacock's history, and the platform's top entertainment event as well. NBC Sports President Rick Cordella expressed his pride in the achievements, stating, "Last night's Opening Ceremony, one of the most ambitious and complex in Olympic history, was a spectacle for those in attendance in Paris, delivered a huge audience across our NBCU platforms, and set records for Peacock."

Amidst this remarkable feat, the Opening Ceremony was not without its share of grandeur and cultural showcases. More than 200 delegations of competing athletes traveled down the Seine on barges, accompanied by performances from renowned artists such as Celine Dion, Aya Nakamura, Lady Gaga, and various genres of music, including heavy metal. The event featured parkour demonstrations, couture displays, drag queens, and even headless Marie Antoinettes. Despite the rain, the showcase captivated the world and earned praise from French President Emmanuel Macron.

This strong viewership during the Opening Ceremony coincided with Team USA's successful start in the Paris Olympics, securing their first Gold medal and a record-breaking silver in swimming events. With the highly-anticipated debut of Simone Biles, the four-time gold-medal-winning gymnast, in the qualifying rounds, excitement continues to build for Team USA's performance in the upcoming weeks.

Across the border in Canada, the Paris Opening Ceremony garnered significant attention as well, with 13.3 million Canadians tuning in to watch the spectacle on the CBC, TSN, RDS, and other sports networks. This represents a remarkable 33% increase from the viewership of the Tokyo 2021 Olympics.

As the Paris Olympics 2024 unfolds, NBCUniversal celebrates its outstanding viewership results and anticipates the continuation of thrilling competitions. With the exceptional popularity of streaming platforms like Peacock, the landscape of Olympic viewing experiences continues to evolve, and NBCUniversal is at the forefront, delivering record-breaking performances to audiences worldwide.