CZECHS MAINLY WANT TO WATCH THE WINTER OLYMPICS ON TELEVISION, WITH ICE HOCKEY AND BIATHLON PROVING MOST POPULAR - ScreenVoice.cz

Czechs want to watch the Winter Olympics mainly on television, with younger people preferring social networks and streams more than older people, according to research by ResSolution Group for MediaGuru.cz.

Television remains the main medium for watching the upcoming Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina among Czech viewers. According to research by ResSolution Group for MediaGuru.cz, 82% of those who plan to watch the Olympics intend to do so on television. Social media (30%) and online streams (28%) follow at a considerable distance.

However, the role of individual platforms varies significantly by age. While television is practically the dominant channel for viewers over 55, with 92% of them watching the Games, its share drops to 67% among the youngest group aged 15-34. On the contrary, young people are much more likely to plan to use social networks (48%) and online streams (46%), while only 14% and 16% of the oldest respondents mention these options, respectively.

The most common type of content that Czechs plan to watch during the Winter Olympics are full sports broadcasts. Forty-five per cent of respondents want to watch these. Another 40 per cent will focus primarily on highlights and summaries of the most important moments, and 38 per cent will follow the results and medal standings. Approximately a quarter of the internet population said they would not watch this year's Winter Olympics at all.

Interest in individual types of content also varies by gender. Men significantly more often prefer full sports broadcasts (54%), while this proportion is lower among women (36%). Women, on the other hand, more often choose overviews and short summaries, although even here, men's interest remains slightly higher.

Watching Winter Olympics content

Source: ResSolution Group, n = 1050, internet population 15 , National Sample CZ, January 2026

In terms of specific sports, the Winter Olympics have a clear favourite in Czechia. More than three-quarters of viewers (77%) plan to watch ice hockey. Biathlon came in second place, with 53% of respondents wanting to watch it, followed by alpine skiing with 45%. Ice hockey is the most watched sport among both men and women, with 86% of men and 67% of women expressing interest. Biathlon and alpine skiing are more popular among respondents with higher education and older age groups.

Winter Olympic sports and hosting the Winter Olympics

Source: ResSolution Group, n = 1050, internet population 15 , National Sample CZ, January 2026

Personal participation only marginal, less than a tenth in parks

Personal participation in Olympic events remains marginal. Only 8% of respondents, mainly from the younger age group, plan to visit Olympic parks or fan zones in Czechia. Only a minimum number of people want to travel directly to Italy for the sporting competitions – 1% of respondents are firmly decided to travel, while 88% clearly reject the idea.

The survey also shows that almost a quarter of the internet population (23%) do not know that the Winter Olympic Games are being held in Italy this year. Awareness is highest among people over 55 and lowest among young people aged 15–34. Nevertheless, the majority of the population is looking forward to the upcoming Games – 61% of respondents expressed positive expectations, while a third are rather indifferent to the event.

The public is divided on the Czech Republic's possible candidacy

The survey also focused on the broader public's relationship to the Olympic Games. The question of whether the Czech Republic should bid to host the Winter Olympics in the future divides society. Forty per cent of respondents were in favour of submitting a bid, while just under 44 per cent were against it . While young people aged 15–34 strongly support the idea of hosting the Games, support declines with age, and the oldest group is predominantly opposed.