L.A. 12th Among Large-Market TV Audiences

The Olympics are a bigger draw in Los Angeles than most other major markets, with an average Nielsen rating after three days of 27.3, compared to the national average of 21.2

The national rating for Sunday night’s prime-time competition was a 22.9, while L.A. drew a 27.1.

The L.A. rating ranked 12th among the nation’s 33 largest markets. Topping the list, somewhat surprisingly, was Sacramento with a 34.5. Second was Atlanta, the host city, with a 31.7 and third was Orlando, Fla., with a 30.6.

The national rating of 22.9 was 32% higher than the 18.1 for the first Sunday night at Barcelona four years ago.

In the demographic category of women ages 18-34, Sunday night drew a 16.1 rating, compared to an 11.9 at Barcelona. In women 25-54, it was a 17.6, up from an 11.5 in 1992.