NBC’s Olympics coverage slipped Wednesday without gymnastics, hitting a new low for Rio.
Usain Bolt did appear in a semifinal race last night, and Team USA swept the women’s 100-meter hurdles and took the bronze in women’s beach volleyball. But those simply weren’t enough to help the broadcast match Tuesday’s 6.8 rating/24 share in the key 18-49 demographic, or its 23.8 million total viewers.
NBC was first in ratings with a 5.8 rating/21 share in the main demo and in total viewers with an average of 20.5 million, according to preliminary numbers.
CBS was second in ratings with a 0.9/3 and in viewers with 3.7 million. “Big Brother” at 8 p.m. ET posted a 1.8/7 and 5.9 million viewers. After a rerun, “American Gothic” at 10 got a 0.4/2 and 2.4 million viewers.
Telemundo was third in ratings with a 0.7/3 but fifth in viewers with 1.7 million.
Fox and Univision tied for fourth in ratings, both with a 0.6/2. Fox was fourth in total viewers with 1.9 million, airing reruns; Univision was sixth with 1.6 million.
ABC was sixth in ratings with a 0.5/2, but third in total viewers with 2 million, running just repeats.
The CW was seventh in ratings with a 0.2/1 and in viewers with 1 million. “Penn & Teller: Fool Us” at 8 p.m. ET had a 0.3/1 and 1.5 million viewers.