Sure, the Olympics opening ceremonies draw a huge audience. A record 1.4 billion tuned in to see the spectacle in Beijing in 2008. But when it comes to fans watching actual sporting events, the Olympics pulls a bronze medal at best. Sound the vuvuzelas for the gold: Viewers of the 2010 World Cup football, er, soccer, match in South Africa numbered 2.2 billion.
Introducing the New Issue of ‘Pacific Standard’
The most dangerous idea in mental health, the rise of extreme daycare, the anatomy of ignorance, and more in our November/December 2014 print issue.