As the 2024 Summer Olympics gear up to start in Paris on 26 July, research revealed that viewers from the UAE have very specific platforms in place to watch the games firsthand.
The latest data from YouGov shows that among UAE residents who plan to follow the event, nearly half are likely to rely on online streaming to keep up with the games, closely followed by following social media updates.
The data was based on a survey of 1001 adults aged 18 years and older in the UAE. It was conducted in March 2024 and was based on a nationally representative sample of the adult population in the country.
The survey also revealed that fewer residents plan to follow the games on TV, while a quarter intend to watch them at a sports bar or other broadcasting venues.
A fifth of the residents surveyed said they will stay updated through coverage in newspapers or news sites, while one in ten intend to catch the action live in Paris at an Olympic venue.
The research also revealed that men are more likely than women to follow the Olympics via online streaming, while women are more likely to follow social media updates.
Among the age groups, 35- to 44-year-old adults are most likely to follow social media updates, while adults aged 55 and older are most likely to watch the games on television.
When asked why they watch the Olympics, nearly half of UAE residents who watch the games said they do so to enjoy the spectacle and excitement of the event.
Additionally, 45 per cent watch to support their country’s athletes, while a third tune in to witness participating athletes’ feats and performances.
Three in ten viewers watch the games to evade the feeling of missing out on a global event, while almost a quarter do so because their friends and family do so.
