Increase In Viewership For USATF Grand Prix
According to same-day data reported by NBC Sports, the Bermuda USATF Grand Prix — which was broadcast live on NBC and affiliates — achieved heightened global attention for Bermuda, with an increase in viewership of 55% in the first hour and 132% over the entire show, the BTA said.
A spokesperson said, “The Bermuda Tourism Authority [BTA] is pleased to announce a successful USATF Bermuda Grand Prix in partnership with the Puma American Track League at the Flora Duffy South Field Stadium on Sunday. According to same-day data reported by NBC Sports, the event, broadcast live on NBC and affiliates, achieved heightened global attention for Bermuda, with an increase in viewership of 55% in the first hour and 132% over the entire show.
“This year’s broadcast was up 20% from 2023, and the broadcast closed with a .77 rating, totaling 1,232,000 viewers, indicating an exciting buildup to the Summer Olympic season. The event was the most viewed sport on Sunday outside of NBA, NHL Playoffs, NASCAR, Sunday Night Baseball, and PGA, ultimately becoming the top-ranked event on an NBC Sports platform all weekend.
“Through NBC’s live broadcast, Bermuda was able to promote the island’s diverse culture, showcase its people, and share its stories that make the island so unique to influence visitation for potential travellers. The USATF Bermuda Grand Prix provided a platform to show millions of people the island’s beauty firsthand and cement Bermuda as a top destination for travel and major international events.
“While millions of viewers tuned in globally, over 3,000 spectators filled Flora Duffy Stadium in Bermuda to witness a showcase of exceptional talent, and the world’s top sprinters, including Noah Lyles and the emerging Christian Miller, delivered outstanding performances during the live broadcast. Mr. Lyles, the reigning world champion, left the audience in awe with a wind-legal 9.95 seconds in the 100m dash, setting the bar high for the year. Equally impressive was 17-year-old Christian Miller, who made headlines by setting a new 2024 record with a wind-legal time of 9.93 seconds, the fastest of the season so far.”
Tracy Berkeley, CEO of the Bermuda Tourism Authority, shared the event’s impact, stating, “The USATF Bermuda Grand Prix perfectly aligns with our strategic vision to elevate Bermuda’s reputation through world-class sporting events. This Grand Prix showcased elite international athletics and solidified Bermuda’s position as an example of sports tourism excellence for a destination.” Ms. Berkeley added, “As we look ahead, we are optimistic about the opportunities it holds for our island and the continued growth of our sports tourism sector.”
Hazel Clark, Former Olympic Medalist and Director of Global Business Development at the Bermuda Tourism Authority, exclaims, “The USATF Bermuda Grand Prix transcends a mere sporting event; it’s a global validation of Bermuda’s premier hosting and hospitality capabilities. The record-breaking attendance on the island and increased global viewership confirm Bermuda’s appeal as a leading destination for major international events, and our business development team plans to capitalise on the success by continuing to deliver and punch above our weight,”
The spokesperson said, “The USATF Bermuda Grand Prix, in partnership with lead sponsors Athene and Puma American Track League, also included a full weekend of activities for all ages, including Athene’s Fastest Kid on de Rock challenge and the Special Olympics races. The event is also a prelude to forthcoming international competitions, preparing athletes for the World Athletics Relays in the Bahamas and the much-anticipated Olympic Trials. As anticipation for the Paris Olympics in August mounts, Bermuda has not only firmly established itself as a key player on the global athletic stage, but as a brand that delivers excellence as a destination marketing organisation.”
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Great news and great event. I know a lot of hard work went into this. But why did nobody notice the broken down sign with a bunch of missing letters, before this event? Did nobody think to fix this? Or cover it up? Or even remove it altogether if you can’t fix it. Over a million people saw this on NBC and it made Bermuda look broke down and tacky. Half the letters were missing and I know for a fact that didn’t just happen. Either way, for a premier event like this, this is inexcusable. Please do better next time. The world is watching.