NEW YORK: United States broadcaster NBC has said that it made a $250m profit from its coverage of the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

Advertising sales were up by more than 20pc compared with London 2012, said NBCUniversal ceo Steve Burke, also citing a “very good” long-term rights deals.

The business success came despite criticism of the manner in which NBC covered the Games for US viewers, usually tape delaying key events. TV ratings were down from London in 2012 but up in digital terms.

Burke said that London 2012 had probably been was the “high-water point” in primetime Olympics viewing but was optimistic about future Olympics, mentioning that advertisers were looking forward to returning.

He added: “We are not in any way concerned.”

NBCUniversal paid $7.75bn for Olympics rights from 2022 through 2032.

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