Even as Greek Olympics organizers struggle to justify the stadiums full of empty seats, the Summer Games are off to a fine start, as far as NBC is concerned.

At least 56 million viewers tuned in for part of Friday night’s four-hour telecast of the Opening Ceremonies. Those numbers are right in line with the start of the 2000 Sydney Olympics and ahead of the results for the 1992 Olympics from Barcelona (50 million) and the 1988 Seoul Games (51 million viewers).

The telecast, which ran from 8 to 11:49 p.m. ET averaged a 14.4 rating/16 share, according to preliminary Nielsens. That’s down from the 16.2/29 for the Sydney Opening Ceremonies and also below the 18.1/36 for the 1960 Games from Rome.

“With the average American television household having 25 more channels to choose from than it did four years ago, it feels great to be right on the viewership levels of Sydney’s Opening Ceremony,” says Dick Ebersol, chairman, NBC Universal Sports & Olympics. “This is a nice beginning, especially with the great American swimming and gymnastics teams performing over the next 10 days.”

Saturday night’s average (from 8 to 11:45 p.m. ET) preliminary 11.7 rating/23 share was also down from Sydney in 2000 (13.1/25), but NBC notes that the afternoon Olympics telecast was up 15 percent over the first afternoon telecast from Sydney.

With a primetime average of a 15.4/26, Sunday represented NBC’s strongest night yet.

‘Real World’ goes to Philly

The 15th season of MTV’s “Real World” franchise began in Philadelphia, was briefly homeless and finally returned to the City of Brotherly Love. The fruits of this tumultuous process are set to premiere on MTV on Sept. 7.

After ditching Philadelphia amidst protests from local unions, the reality veteran ultimately made nice and shot the season with minimal controversy. It’s doubtful that the show’s labor strife will merit even a mention as viewers watch seven strangers move into a 10,000-square-foot home.

The new “Real World” crew will spend their time working for the Philadelphia Soul, an Arena Football team owned by “Moonlight and Valentino” star Jon Bon Jovi. They also build a playground for Northern Home, a local care center for troubled youth and spend quality time in Fiji.

Even with all of that scheduled activity, the houseguests probably manage to find time to enjoy Philadelphia’s active bar scene and the two hot tubs (one hot, one cool) in their house.

2 jobs for winner of ‘Apprentice’

Apparently Donald Trump just isn’t keeping Bill Rancic busy enough in the Windy City.

The “Apprentice” winner has signed on for a second job, as a corporate spokesman for Advanta, an issuer of credit cards for small businesses.

Rancic, an Advanta cardholder himself from his days as an Internet cigar salesman, is currently working as an owner’s representative for Trump at the new Trump Tower in Chicago, serving as The Donald’s eyes and ears at the building site.

Presumably Rancic has enough time to be an ambassador for Advanta, making public appearances and becoming visible in the company’s promotional campaigns. The company is the third largest seller of credit cards to small businesses behind Wells Fargo and Citibank.

“Bill represents a new generation of entrepreneurs,” says Advanta Chairman Dennis Alter. “He is a dynamic, passionate and intelligent business leader who embodies the entrepreneurial spirit and drive that makes business owners unique. He is a reflection of the great American dream to run a business and is someone who will represent our company very well.”

Rancic’s first book, “You’re Hired: How to Succeed in Business and Life,” will be released this fall. The second season of “The Apprentice” also premieres this fall, on NBC.

Copy the Story Link