The opening ceremonies for the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta drew the largest U.S. television audience (39.7 million viewers) of any recent Summer Games.
In comparison, the broadcast of the most recent Summer Olympics opening ceremonies — Athens, 2004 — drew 25.3 million U.S. viewers.
DATE / TIME
YEAR / LOCATION
NETWORK
VIEWERS (P2+)
25 July / 8pm – 12am
1992 / Barcelona
NBC
21,609,000
19 July / 8pm – 12:45am
1996 / Atlanta
NBC
39,767,000
15 Sept. / 8pm – 11:36pm
2000 / Sydney
NBC
27,275,000
13 Aug. / 8pm – 11:49pm
2004 / Athens
NBC
25,384,000
Source: The Nielsen Company
