NBC: Olympic Loser
filed in Sports on Feb.17, 2006
I can’t help but get frustrated when I think about how NBC is letting down America with their coverage of the 2006 Torino Olympic Games. It has been anything but impressive.
A testament to this poor coverage is how few Americans are feeling a compulsive need to watch the games every night. In fact, this Olympics has one of the lowest television ratings, when compared to past Olympic coverages. I think there are certainly other factors involved, besides NBC, such as the other networks actually putting up a fight this year with American Idol and other shows, America hasn’t been winning as many high-profile medals as expected, plus I think as a nation we are feeling less patriotic these days. All valid reasons for not running to flip on the Olympics every night, but I’d like to place the crux of the blame on NBC.
Their coverage of the games has been boring to say the least. The commentary during events is shockingly unprofessional, the athlete interviews are wooden, the backstories – where they tell us about the athlete’s past – is more focused on which other athlete or celebrity they are currently dating, which other athlete they don’t get along with, their latest modeling shoot, and their partying habits, instead of informing us about their training since they were 8, their passion and drive to win gold, and family connections. NBC has turned the Olympics into a soap opera.
None of the reporters or analysts seem happy to be there. They don’t seem excited to be at the Olympic games. And that reflects on the American viewing audience. I WANT to be excited. I WANT to be cheering my country on.
I just wish NBC was covering the Olympics better. I think back to the 2000 games in Sydney, Australia. That coverage was amazing. People were running home every night to tune into the games, and screaming at their televisions as they cheered on their favorite athletes. And this rant is certainly not aimed at any one reporter or event, though I could write an entire blog on the reasons Robert Quinlan Costas should never be on television again…
After these games, NBC needs to sit down and rethink how they cover the Olympics. There was a very special ingrediant missing this year and I think because of this, they’ve let down their country.
February 17th, 2006 on 7:54 am
When I was a kid in South Africa, I was very t.v. deprived. Someone once sent us about 10 tapes of the games from Calgary.
We watched those suckers until the tape fell apart. I was captivated by the events, the commentators, the medal ceremonies, all of it. I was thrilled by it. Of course, it may have been because I was younger, and not yet jaded, but I remember the tapes being filled with hours and hours and hours of coverage. Now it seems that there are just a few events shown every night, not the saturation that occurred back then.
And, no Jamaican bobsled teams (at least none of which I am aware).
February 17th, 2006 on 2:52 pm
It is kind of dull coverage this year. One would think that NBC would show the most popular events in order to bring in the highest ratings. But I tuned in the other day and saw Curling (sp?). Who wants to watch shuffle-board on ice? I have to admit i’m a bigger fan of the summer olympics, there’s just more to watch, in my opinion. Although I have been tuning in nightly to catch my favorite events.
I get in a little tizzy when I hear people say that the U.S. isn’t “doing well” in the Olympics (i’m not implying that you are one of the criticizers). I also disagree with how much emphasis is put on winning the gold medal. It’s an honor to be an olympian and to be regarded as one of the best in the world in your chosen sport. That in itself is a huge accomplishment. Not only are these athletes mentally and physically pushing themselves in ways most people never will, but they have Katie Couric following them around documenting their success and/or failure. That’s a lot of pressure. I’m not about to criticize our athletes for not winning any medals when my ass is on the couch drinking a beer! 🙂
February 17th, 2006 on 3:02 pm
Actually, NBC did not invite Katie Couric to cover the Olympics this year. Some are speculating it is because she is entertaining the job offer by CBS to host the CBS Evening News (the job Dan Rather rightfully resigned from).
February 17th, 2006 on 9:08 pm
C’mon guys, you’ve got to want it! Beth and I have enjoyed no less than 7 hours of Olympics coverage every day since the Games began. I think low levels of viewership can be attributed to a lot of factors, but I wouldn’t put NBC’s coverage near the top of the list. I watch soccer games with Spanish-speaking commentators and the only word I understand is “Goooool!” — the point is, if you really enjoy watching the sport, the coverage doesn’t matter. For this reason, I don’t think it’s fair to compare a Summer Games to a Winter Games… there are simply many more popular sports in the Summer Games.
As for the athlete’s backstories, they’re being shown, but the best ones aren’t Americans’. A lot of our competitors are grad students or “will soon be returning to practicing law.” Doesn’t have the same impact as the Chinese man who had to leave his family at age eleven to train, never to return.
Where did your comment about the snowboarding uniforms go? Did I dream that?
Bottom line: blame the American audience. Right or wrong, they’re the ones choosing to watch American Idol over a 70 MPH Skeleton run.
As for Beth and I, we’re tuned in to NBC, MSNBC, and USA for every minute!
February 18th, 2006 on 6:02 am
It was my comment about the ugly snowboarding outfits. I have to admit that I haven’t watched hardly any of the games. Speaking of the snowboarders, they are like fourteen! They are awesome, but their interviews are sooo teenagerish that I can’t take it.
I am going to set the DVR to start recording it because I know some good stuff is happening, I just want to see Lost, American Idol, and The Office first. Brandon you make a good point about the commentary not factoring in.
February 18th, 2006 on 8:29 am
But Brandon, I watch those Spanish/Italian soccer games as well, and the positive energy, charisma and emotion by the broadcasters is half of the experience! If NBC were to put half of the soccer broadcasters emotion into their coverage, the winter Olympics would be much more fun to watch. In contrast, they spent way too much time last night trash-talking the American women snowboarders because they decided as a team to adorn their outfits with some fun accessories (pearls, tiara, etc…). It reminds me of listing to Tim McCarver announce a Yankees game. His obvious dislike for the Yankee organization is apparent in every sentence he says.
February 20th, 2006 on 10:06 am
I watch the games for the games. I don’t care whos commentating, whos interviewing, it has no effect on me whatsoever. every sport that i’ve wanted to watch has been on. I’ve even watched an hr of curling, trying to figure it out, and I still have no idea how they score it. (but they do have some hotties!) my only problem is somehow finding out who won before i get to watch it. I hate that.
But I challenge everyone to just watch the games for the athletes. Quit relying on networks to glamorize the games for you. It’s the Olympics!!!! whether we win or lose, enjoy the competition from the greatest athletes in the world!!! (did anyone see bode miller SOMEHOW stay up with his ski waving around behind him??? THAT was amazing.)
February 24th, 2006 on 10:41 am
Kenny –
I have to agree with Brandon —
I also have to say that we should sooner blame the rest of professional USA sports for the demise of our interest in Olympic sports (if it exists) –rather than NBC.
All one has to do is tune into a 1-hr run of Sporscenter everyday during the Olympics and see that the “Spotlight on Turin” feature spans a massive 5 minute slot out of the hour with the commentary by some less-than-known ESPN personality. And to think, this is during the offseason for MLB and NFL?! Americans love their sports –but just the ones we pay for !