The 2024 Paris Olympic Games not only captured the hearts of Canadians and track and field fans, but the event also set a historic milestone in viewership. According to a new independent research study by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), an estimated five billion people tuned in to watch the 18 days of competition at Paris 2024, marking the highest-ever global audience for an Olympic Games.
A record 84% of the potential global audience – around 5 billion people – followed the Olympic Games #Paris2024 according to independent research conducted on behalf of the IOC.
A summary of the report that underlines the massive success of the Games: https://t.co/ECd0MDtEat pic.twitter.com/bjymJmjFqd
— IOC MEDIA (@iocmedia) December 5, 2024
This massive reach underlines the success of the Paris Games, with over half of the world’s population (8.2 billion) tuning in to witness the performances. The study further estimates that they captured 84 per cent of the potential worldwide audience (defined as those aged four and over with access to the Games) for the event. This record-breaking viewership reflects the growing global appeal and power of sports to unite people from around the world.
The Games didn’t just set records in TV viewership; the study says social media engagement saw an unprecedented surge, with a 290 per cent increase over Tokyo 2020. The IOC’s Olympic digital platforms and social media channels across TikTok, Instagram, X and Facebook saw a total of 16.7 billion interactions.
With 28.7 billion hours of footage watched globally, the Paris 2024 Games saw a 25 per cent increase in coverage compared to Tokyo 2020, making these Games the most-watched and engaged Olympics of all time.
There was also a 200 per cent jump in Internet searches related to Olympic sports and the Games, with athletics, swimming, gymnastics and skateboarding being at the forefront of most-Googled events. Paris 2024 was historic for Canada, which achieved its best-ever summer Olympics performance at a non-boycotted Games, winning 27 medals, an impressive five of them in athletics.
The results of the study not only reflect the power of the Games to captivate a global audience, but highlight the growing influence of social media and its ability to shape the global sports landscape.
