NBC has reported staggering dips in the viewership percentages for the Tokyo Olympics 2020. NBC reported the viewership percentages are far less than the previous Olympic games.
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The main reason for this dip in viewership could be because of all the controversy and protests surrounding the Tokyo Olympics 2020. They postponed the event that was to be held in 2020 because of the pandemic.
Reuters
Tokyo 2020 Olympics – Swimming – Men’s 4 x 100m Medley Relay – Medal Ceremony – Tokyo Aquatics Centre – Tokyo, Japan – August 1, 2021. Gold medalists Ryan Murphy, Michael Andrew, Caeleb Dressel and Zach Apple of the United States hold a banner reading “Thank you Tokyo” REUTERS/Annegret Hilse
14.7 million viewers tuned in to watch the Tokyo Olympics during prime time on July 26. This is 53% less than the viewership from the 2012 London Olympics, and a 49% decrease from the 2016 Rio Olympics viewership.
Tokyo Olympics 2020 ratings drop
We can attribute this sudden dip to the backlash athletes are receiving for protesting the national anthem and the American flag. Another key reason is the absence of fans in the stadiums, owing to the pandemic.
The opening ceremony saw its lowest viewership since the 1988 Olympic games. Officials feel the pandemic is the main reason for this drop in viewership. The Tokyo Olympics has seen quite a few acts of athlete protests.
The Olympic committee made a rule against athlete protests and expressions against race, religion, or politics. Despite this, quite a few athletes protested after winning medals in Tokyo.
The women’s soccer teams from Great Britain, Chile, and Japan were amongst the few that took a knee to show solidarity against racism. Hammer thrower Gwen Berry turned away from the national flag during the national anthem.
There were also a few moments of patriotism during the Olympics. When Tamyra Mensah-Stock became the first female, black American to win a wrestling gold medal. The American draped herself in the red, white and blue flag.
Reuters
Tokyo 2020 Olympics – Wrestling – Freestyle – Women’s 68kg – Medal Ceremony – Makuhari Messe Hall A, Chiba, Japan – August 3, 2021. Gold medallist Tamyra Marianna Mensah Stock of the United States poses with her medal REUTERS/Leah Millis
“I love representing the U.S. I freaking love living here,” Tamyra said.
A poll revealed that athletes that condemned the American flag or National anthem have made Republican viewers and some independent viewers feel alienated.
