Comments on: NBC Continues Crushing Olympic Dominance: 168 Million Have Viewed So Far, Tuesday Night Most-Viewed Night Yet

By: Robert Seidman

Robert Seidman — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 05:30:07 +0000

Thanks very much Doug, it's appreciated. If Bill weren't on vacation, he'd thank you too…

By: Doug

Doug — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 04:28:05 +0000

Jeff, it was fairly understandable what they did back in 1994 and 1996 because there was noplace else to go. One specific network had the rights to the Olympics and without a resource as well developed as the internet, for most, it was either watch it tape-delayed or wait for tomorrow's newspaper for the results. Of course, that's all changed now, so NBC has to be very agile. It seems to be doing a great job, helped in no small part by the US team's stellar performance (esp. Phelps) up to this point.

NBC must be doing jumping jacks that the next Olympics are just 18 months away and are being held in Vancouver, giving them prime-time live coverage for the big events. NBC really needed these Olympics to be huge not only from a profit standpoint, but also from a promotional one – it'll be interesting to see what kind of boost its premieres get out of this. Another plus for NBC – if these Olympics do end up boosting this season, the 2010 ones will boost next season as well. If any network ever needed a life-line this big, it was NBC, and it got just that and more.

By: Doug

Doug — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 04:21:24 +0000

You guys run a fantastic website, so the kind words are more than deserved. I ran one myself from 2000-2006, but it's too hard to break-out and Nielsen was much more picky at that time. I remained a relative unknown except to a dozen or so readers, but it also allowed me the freedom to archive full ratings lists. Of course, it's all gone now, so it's a moot point.

the reason why your website is fantastic is because there's raw reporting of the numbers, plus analysis and lots of other goodies that the networks send out (things most people miss because they don't even know the networks have press sites). along with tvtattle, this has quickly become by favorite resource for television.

By: Robert Seidman

Robert Seidman — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 23:49:08 +0000

Jeff,

You can't put all of that on NBC. There is a 12 hour time difference with the east coast and china vs. 5-8 hour difference with most of Europe, plus, the Europeans didn't reschedule events so that the best events would be on during primetime in New York.

Then again, we're not as big of consumers of Europe's product than we are China's, so forgive me being a bit cynical for a few seconds, but given the time differences and differences of economics between US and China and US and Europe, it's not a great surprise.

By: Jeff

Jeff — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 23:44:50 +0000

Hey, surprise! Live coverage = ratings. Who knew?

I do have to give NBC props for finally figuring it out. It took them long enough, but they're doing a better job this year than they have in any previous Olympics that they've covered. Was it 1992 or 1996 when every single event was covered tape-delayed, and in a style like it was a Dateline story?

By: killerbee

killerbee — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 23:15:26 +0000

I got to watch the exciting woman's team hand ball game (didn't know it existed) between Romania and Bratislava! Yes, I was sitting at a bar and had no control over the TV. The Olympics are pathetic!

By: Robert Seidman

Robert Seidman — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 22:34:10 +0000

Doug — Yikes, I didn't realize we'd gotten an additional link near the top of the page today. To say that made a significant difference would be understated. Wow. And thanks again for the kind words.

By: david

david — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 22:22:54 +0000

For a sports and spectacle fan, not to mention rooting for your own home teams…this is great coverage! thank you, nbc. good job.

By: Doug

Doug — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 22:07:06 +0000

You guys got linked on Drudge. Congrats!

By: Kathleen

Kathleen — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 21:51:56 +0000

I really enjoy Matt Lauer, Rowdy Gaines, Chris Collinsworth and Bob Costas..great work. Am thrilled Katie Couric is no longer a part of this. Michael Phelps is a true joy to watch and root for…seems like a very nice guy and well spoken. Also, love the all day coverage since I work at home and can check in when I want.

By: googerg

googerg — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 21:51:02 +0000

Of course, perhaps just part of the reason for these ratings has to do with the fact that morely people are simply staying home — and more likely to watch tv — this summer, cutting back on vacations because of gas prices!