NBC Sees Historic Ratings for Winter Olympics Coverage

Team USA's record-setting performance in Milan-Cortina drives massive viewership increase for network.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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NBC's coverage of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina delivered historic ratings, averaging 23.5 million viewers across broadcast, Peacock, and digital platforms - a 96% jump compared to the 2022 Beijing Games. The strong viewership was fueled by Team USA's best-ever Winter Olympics performance, including a record 12 gold medals and 33 total medals, as well as standout individual performances like speed skater Jordan Stolz's multiple gold medals and the men's hockey team's dramatic overtime win over Canada.

Why it matters

The ratings rebound is a major validation for NBC's investment in production scale, cross-platform integration, and innovative programming for the Winter Olympics. After two consecutive Olympics with declining viewership, the strong performance in Milan-Cortina creates strategic momentum for NBC heading into the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles and the 2030 Winter Olympics.

The details

NBC's Milan-Cortina coverage averaged 23.5 million viewers, a 96% increase from the 12.0 million viewers for the 2022 Beijing Games. The network also saw record streaming engagement, with 16.7 billion minutes consumed across its platforms. Team USA's record-setting performance, including 12 gold medals and 33 total, as well as standout individual achievements like speed skater Jordan Stolz's multiple gold medals and the men's hockey team's dramatic overtime win over Canada, were key drivers of the increased viewership.

  • The 2026 Winter Olympics took place in Milan-Cortina, Italy.
  • NBC announced the ratings data on February 24, 2026.

The players

NBC

The American television network that holds the U.S. media rights for the Olympic Games through 2036.

Team USA

The United States Olympic team, which had its best-ever Winter Olympics performance in Milan-Cortina, finishing second in the overall medal table with 33 medals, including a record 12 gold medals.

Jordan Stolz

An American speed skater who won gold medals in the 500 and 1000 meters events, setting Olympic records in both.

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What’s next

NBC's strong ratings performance at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina creates momentum for the network as it prepares to broadcast the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles and the 2030 Winter Olympics.

The takeaway

NBC's coverage of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina was a major success, with the network seeing a 96% increase in average viewership compared to the 2022 Beijing Games. This ratings rebound validates NBC's investment in production scale, cross-platform integration, and innovative programming, and sets the stage for the network's coverage of the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles and the 2030 Winter Olympics.