For many, the recent Olympic Games in Paris were a powerful reminder of the joy of watching sports with family and friends. And according to recent data, this feeling of connection was shared by a massive global audience, as viewership for the Paris 2024 games surged past the numbers seen at the Tokyo games.
Initial research released by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) indicates that the Paris games were followed by around 5 billion people, which represents 84% of the potential global audience. This remarkable figure is a significant increase from the Tokyo 2020 games, which were impacted by the lack of live spectators and pandemic-related restrictions.
The success of Paris 2024 can be attributed to several factors. The games, which took place in iconic Parisian locations, created a more engaging and visually appealing experience for viewers. The focus on digital platforms also paid off, with a record 28.7 billion hours of footage viewed globally, a 25% increase from Tokyo.
One of the most notable viewership spikes was in women’s soccer. The Spanish-language broadcasting giant Telemundo reported an astonishing 386% increase in viewership for the women’s tournament compared to the Tokyo Olympics. The final match between the USA and Brazil, which saw the USWNT secure the gold medal, was a ratings juggernaut and became the most-watched Olympic soccer match on Telemundo since the 2016 Rio games.
The popularity of women’s sports was a major theme of the Paris games. An NBCUniversal report noted that female athletes accounted for a staggering 53% of total engagement on social media platforms, highlighting the growing audience and influence of women in sports.
