Sochi Olympics off to good ratings start
Leanne Smith of the United States in action during the Alpine Skiing Women's Super Combined Downhill on day 3 of the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics at Rosa Khutor Alpine Center on February 10, 2014 in Sochi, Russia. Credit: Getty Images / Doug Pensinger
Do I find it odd that I watched (almost) every minute of Winter Olympics coverage in, say, 1972 and '76, when now that it is my job I have very limited interest (until the hockey tournament starts)?
Well, yes, I do find that odd. But in fairness, no matter what I think - or what mainstream sports talk radio hosts and callers say about how little they care - the Games remain a ratings powerhouse for NBC and its assorted cable and online outposts.
Despite the nine-hour time difference between Sochi and the East Coast of the United States, people are watching.
The first three nights of coverage Minneapolis was the top-rated market; Salt Lake City ranked first for Sunday night.
Nationally the Sunday night coverage averaged 15.7 percent of homes in major markets - 74 percent better than CBS' special on the 50th anniversary of The Beatles' first appearance on "The Ed Sullivan Show."
(Don't tell my boss but I watched The Beatles more than The Figure Skaters.)
Through four nights New York ranks 41st out of 56 major markets with a 14.8 average rating, which is pretty darn good in the grand scheme of modern TV ratings.
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