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Online Olympics Viewing Shatters Records

But TV's still tops, NBC says

By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 25, 2008 6:28 AM CDT

(Newser) – The Internet played an unprecedented role in Olympics viewing this year, with NBCOlympics.com and Yahoo leading the online-coverage pack, the New York Times reports. With 1.2 billion page hits and 72 million video streams, NBC more than doubled its Web traffic from the past two Olympics combined. The Internet lets viewers “create their own broader Olympics experience,” said a ratings analyst.

NBC, which scored the rights to the Beijing Olympics in 1995, was the only place for streaming video and garnered 4.3 million unique visitors a day, say analysts; Yahoo, offering photos and articles, managed 4.7 million. But despite the Games’ online popularity, NBC says the tube is still the most popular Olympic medium, notching 93% of viewing.

The screen shot taken Sunday, August 10, 2008 from NBCOlympics.com shows NBC's quad-screen control room feature, where users can choose to view up to four live or on-demand feeds.
The screen shot taken Sunday, August 10, 2008 from NBCOlympics.com shows NBC's quad-screen "control room" feature, where users can choose to view up to four live or on-demand feeds.   (AP Photo)
Online Olympic viewing reached unprecedented levels this year.
Online Olympic viewing reached unprecedented levels this year.   (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
NBC's online Olympic video player.
NBC's online Olympic video player.   (AP Photo)
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