Comments on: Michael Phelps Shines in Record Gold; But Not Live in California

By: Alex Gittleson

Alex Gittleson — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 14:07:09 +0000

I agree in principle that NBC should have broadcast Phelps live nationally, but its also important to recognize that NBC's strategy is actually aligned with the interests of the viewing public here. The goal is to maximize the audience, and with HUT levels 10-15% higher later in prime, NBC knew that a delay allows more people to see the race. Sure, they could have simply re-aired it later in the night, but NBC can reasonably argue that they were simply looking out for the 10-15% of households who couldn't get to a television just after 8pm Pacific.

By: Sandy

Sandy — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 22:30:32 +0000

In the end, it's all about ratings, and tape delaying didn't seem to hurt them at all. At least the next Winter Olympics will be set in the Pacific time zone (Vancouver), so this won't be much of an issue. As for London in 2012 and Sochi, Russia in 2014, here we go again. Hopefully Chicago wins the summer games in 2016.

By: Dave

Dave — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 22:23:17 +0000

Sports coverage is not sports coverage if its not live, so shame on NBC for not broadcasting live on the west and delaying the opening ceremonies. kudos though to the impressive amount of live coverage in primetime on the east coast, given that the games take place 12 hours away, being able to score so many marquee events in primetime is damn impressive. Thank god I live on the east.

My suggestion to NBCU would be to play the primetime block Live at 5 on the west on USA or one of those channels, and on a delay at 8 on NBC

By: brian

brian — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 07:07:32 +0000

http://www.petitiononline.com/NBCwest/petition….

Sign this petition to let nbc know what you think about delayed coverage