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 | 网络 | 观众 (P2+) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25 July / 8pm – 12am | 1992 / Barcelona | 美国全国广播公司 | 21,609,000 |
| 19 July / 8pm – 12:45am | 1996 / Atlanta | 美国全国广播公司 | 39,767,000 |
| 15 Sept. / 8pm – 11:36pm | 2000 / Sydney | 美国全国广播公司 | 27,275,000 |
| 13 Aug. / 8pm – 11:49pm | 2004 / Athens | 美国全国广播公司 | 25,384,000 |
| 来源：尼尔森公司资料来源：尼尔森公司 |
