What's happened
The Paris 2024 Olympics have seen a significant increase in viewership across various platforms, with NBC reporting record advertising revenue and streaming service Peacock achieving high engagement. Meanwhile, the BBC's coverage has faced criticism due to limited broadcasting rights, leading viewers to seek alternatives like Discovery+ for comprehensive access.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to Axios, NBC's decision to stream events live rather than delay them for prime time has significantly boosted viewership, with the women's gymnastics final attracting 12.7 million viewers. Meanwhile, The Independent highlights that BBC's limited coverage has frustrated UK viewers, prompting many to turn to Discovery+ for comprehensive access. The Guardian notes that Discovery+ has seen a surge in subscribers, indicating a shift in how audiences consume Olympic content. This contrast illustrates the evolving landscape of sports broadcasting, where streaming services are increasingly becoming the preferred choice for viewers seeking extensive coverage.
How we got here
The Paris 2024 Olympics have been marked by a shift in media consumption, with traditional broadcasters like NBC and the BBC adapting to new streaming dynamics. NBC's strategy of live streaming events has paid off, contrasting with the BBC's restricted coverage due to exclusive rights held by Discovery.
Common question
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Why is Discovery+ Surging in Popularity During the Olympics?
As the Paris 2024 Olympics unfold, Discovery+ has emerged as a leading streaming service in the UK, attracting a wave of new subscribers. This surge raises questions about the changing landscape of sports broadcasting and how viewers are adapting to new viewing options. Below, we explore the reasons behind this trend and what it means for the future of streaming services.
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How Are Streaming Wars Changing Sports and Entertainment?
The streaming landscape is rapidly evolving, with platforms like Netflix and Amazon reshaping how we consume sports and entertainment. As new shows premiere and traditional networks struggle to keep up, many viewers are left wondering how these changes will impact their viewing habits and the future of broadcasting.
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How is Streaming Changing the Way We Watch the Paris 2024 Olympics?
The Paris 2024 Olympics are not just a showcase of athletic prowess; they are also a pivotal moment for how we consume sports. With the rise of streaming platforms like NBC's Peacock and Discovery+, viewers are experiencing the Games in unprecedented ways. This shift raises important questions about viewership metrics, athlete engagement, and the future of sports broadcasting.
More on these topics
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The 2024 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXXIII Olympiad, and commonly known as Paris 2024, is a forthcoming international multi-sport event that is scheduled to take place from 26 July to 11 August 2024 in Paris, France.
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The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Headquartered at Broadcasting House in Westminster, London, it is the world's oldest national broadcaster, and the largest broadcaster in the world by number of employees.
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The modern Olympic Games or Olympics are leading international sporting events featuring summer and winter sports competitions in which thousands of athletes from around the world participate in a variety of competitions.
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Discovery+ is a streaming service owned by Discovery, Inc. The service focuses on factual programming drawn from the libraries of Discovery's main channel brands, as well as original series, and other acquired content.
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Warner Bros. Discovery is an upcoming American multinational mass media and entertainment conglomerate. The company will be formed though the merger of WarnerMedia and Discovery, Inc., which is expected to be completed by mid-April 2022.
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Ilona Maher is an American rugby union player. She debuted for the United States against Japan in 2018 in Paris, France.
Maher began playing rugby while attending Quinnipiac University; prior to college, Maher also played field hockey, basketball, and soc
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The National Broadcasting Company is an American English-language commercial terrestrial radio and television network owned by NBCUniversal, a subsidiary of Comcast.