BBC announce record-breaking viewing figures at World Olympics despite huge backlash
BBC Sport has announced unprecedented streaming figures for its Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics coverage, with 83 million streams recorded across iPlayer, the BBC Sport website and app.
Television audiences reached 26.3 million viewers, while total streamed hours exceeded 44 million online.
The numbers represent a dramatic surge compared to the Beijing Games four years ago, which attracted 31.4 million streams and 26 million TV viewers.
Social media engagement also hit new heights, generating 235 million views throughout the competition.
BBC have announced record-breaking viewing figures at World Olympics despite huge ‘their worst ever coverage’
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REUTERS
The corporation described this as “the most widely consumed Winter Olympic Games on the BBC”, with digital growth compensating for the ongoing decline in traditional television viewing.
During the fortnight, BBC Sport achieved its strongest digital performance in two years, with 12.23 million accounts accessing content.
Despite the record-breaking numbers, viewers took to social media to condemn the BBC’s output as “abysmal” and “the worst ever”.
Complaints centred on the broadcaster’s habit of switching between events mid-competition, leaving audiences unable to watch sports from start to finish.
“The BBC coverage of the Winter Olympics is actually abysmal,” one viewer wrote on X.
“How many repeats do I have to sit through? Why aren’t you airing things that Team GB are actually in?”
Some BBC viewers complained about sound issues during coverage of the Olympics closing ceremony | BBC
Another described it as “the worst Olympic coverage I’ve seen them do by an absolute mile”.
Frustration also mounted over excessive repeats and pre-recorded segments, with many demanding greater focus on live action featuring British athletes.
One viewer branded the ice hockey coverage “absolutely and utterly atrocious” after iPlayer switched to skiing without warning.
The broadcaster was also forced to apologise after missing a pivotal moment during Matt Weston and Tabitha Stoecker’s gold medal triumph in the mixed team skeleton relay.
As Weston began his run, the main broadcast showed footage of his coach offering encouragement rather than the actual start of the race.
The pictures came directly from the Olympic world feed rather than being under BBC control, but commentator John Hunt immediately expressed regret to viewers.
“Oh, what are they doing? What are they playing at? That’s terrible. That’s a great start. Sorry about the pictures, but Matt is on his way,” Hunt said.
Matt Weston made history by claiming Britain’s first gold medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics in the skeleton event, yet his victory celebration proved remarkably understated | GETTY
Weston’s push-off was only visible in a small corner graphic, sparking further anger on social media.
BBC Sport director Alex Kay-Jelski hailed the multi-platform approach as a triumph, stating: “From unforgettable human moments to technical sporting insight, BBC Sport didn’t just cover this year’s Winter Olympic Games, it delivered conversation and insight around them that got audiences talking and engaging more than ever.”
He added: “I’m hugely proud of the teams who worked tirelessly to deliver such an outstanding Games for existing and new audiences.”
The Olympic rings on the Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium used during the Milano Cortina Winter Olympic Games 2026, in Cortina, Italy | REUTERS
However, the corporation had scaled back its live output compared to previous Winter Olympics, with TNT Sports broadcasting the Games for the first time and providing more than 850 hours of coverage.
Prior to the competition, Kay-Jelski had promised viewers “unmissable coverage” featuring “all the very best action and medal moments”.
