NBC's disappointing Olympic Coverage

[usmc1]

While its ratings are running just a tad ahead of 2004 ratings, NBC is not enjoying a ratings boost from its coverage of the 28 Olympics. Its allied networks, however, are getting some fairly decent numbers, considering.

I think I know why, at least partly.

Last night during prime time, for, at least, the first ten minutes of the hour we were treated to a puckish, toupee coiffed, face-lifted to the point of rigidity, Bob Costas blithering about, and promising more to come, beach volley ball.

Now, I don't know about you, but beach valley ball is something I sometimes glance at on the TV in the hotel lounge while I'm killing time. Beach valley ball, is a diversion and hardly an Olympic sport requiring non-stop coverage or serious discussion or analysis. We come in last there, I'll sleep well.

And as much as I'm in awe of and tickled by Phelps's performance, I do not care to view a half hour discussion with him, his obnoxious limelight crashing mom, or his coaches and etc. You did a great job, thanks, now move on.

And Bela Karoly? Forget it. Who buys taht man's sportscoats? They msu shop at Goodwill, he's a great gymnastics coach, but I want to see gymnasts, not him interviewed night after night.

And that's the problem. They are all so enthralled with themselves, that they're not covering the athletes or the competition, they're covering themselves talking about the events.

Waht a load!

[brazhunter]

Gee, you wouldn't rather watch lame commentary from the talking heads reading from a script or see touching stories about the hardships some athlete's mom went through as opposed to actually watching sports? But yeah, NBC has no clue that they're supposed to be covering sports.

If ever there's a monopoly that needs to be busted up, it's Olympic sports coverage. Imagine what you'd be seeing of they sold rights to the individual events for broadcast.

[nimrod]

And as much as I'm in awe of and tickled by Phelps's performance, I do not care to view a half hour discussion with him, his obnoxious limelight crashing mom, or his coaches and etc.

I see that as the "we are a nation without heroes" syndrom. They try to make anyone with some athletic ability into the new hero of the moment. When was the last time you heard Spitz's name in the media before Phelps had a chance to break his record. Has all things this too shall pass.

I have not watched much of the Olympics, more from lack of interest than bad coverage.

[Pete Knight]

Sadly the talking heads scenario has been imported from Uncles Sam's back yard right into British sports presentation, we too are now getting 30 minutes of BS after a game of football (Soccer to you.), and I avoid the Olympics like the plague, but the other thing that gets up my nose is referring to sportsmen and women as hero's, sorry but people who risk their lives to benefit others are hero's, not sports personalities.

Pete Knight

[brazhunter]

the other thing that gets up my nose is referring to sportsmen and women as hero's, sorry but people who risk their lives to benefit others are hero's, not sports personalities.

Pete Knight
+1 to what he said.

That said, I do love sports and athletic achievement and excellence.

[Naturist Mark]

Last night during prime time, for, at least, the first ten minutes of the hour we were treated to a puckish, toupee coiffed, face-lifted to the point of rigidity, Bob Costas blithering about, and promising more to come, beach volley ball.

Now, I don't know about you, but beach valley ball is something I sometimes glance at on the TV in the hotel lounge while I'm killing time. Beach valley ball, is a diversion and hardly an Olympic sport requiring non-stop coverage or serious discussion or analysis. We come in last there, I'll sleep well.

I'm sorry, you lost me there.

Women's beach volleyball is the greatest sport ever in the history of humankind.

Other than that ... I'm with you.

-Mark