On Day 2 of Sochi Olympics, ‘GMA’ Beats ‘Today’

By Merrill Knox 

GMA OlympicsDespite a win for the “Today” show on the first day of the Sochi Olympics, Tuesday’s numbers bring bad news for NBC: according to Nielsen’s Time Period Fast Affiliate data, “Good Morning America” topped “Today” by +804,000 total viewers and +237,000 A25-54 viewers on the second weekday broadcast of the Olympics.

Compared to the same day during the Vancouver Olympics in 2010, “GMA” has slashed the gap with “Today” by -151% in total viewers and -122% in the demo. During the 2010 Games, Today” — which at the time was the dominant morning show —  made significant gains on “GMA” from Day 1 to Day 2 of the Olympics.

In another ratings measurement, Nielsen Fast Nationals, “Today” edged out a win in the demo, beating “GMA” by +90,000 A25-54 viewers. “GMA” still won in total viewers by +412,000. We’ll have the final ratings next week.

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The drop for “Today” is consistent with a drop in Olympic ratings: Sunday’s primetime broadcast averaged 26.3 million for NBC, while Monday’s only pulled in 22.4 million, according to TV by the Numbers. ABC may also have gotten a boost from Monday’s episode of “The Bachelor,” which delivered almost 8 million viewers from 8-10pmET.

The win for “GMA” marks the first time since the beginning of electronic records that a network morning show that didn’t carry the Olympics won a morning.

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