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This is news only because it’s so rare. Make that more like 2010′s version of Miracle On Ice. The Vancouver Olympics have made NBC #1 for the week of February 8th to 14th. During normal primetime programming, Fox, CBS, and even ABC would be kicking the perennial last place network’s ass. But obviously Americans are so bored or ill (I’ve been sick and watching hours of curling…) or else the Canadian screw-ups are so entertaining (unwittingly reinforcing every McKenzie Brothers stereotype) that we can’t get enough of the Winter Games. (Wasn’t Johnny Weir’s costume last night a hoot and a half? I love how he shatters the skating federation’s uptight image that male figure skaters must be hetero.) Anyway, NBC won the week in adults 18-to-49 as well as total viewers and all other key measures. The Titanic of networks hasn’t done that since its last big event program: when NBC aired the Super Bowl the week of January 26-February 1, 2009. You should read NBC’s hysterically hyped up press releases. So pathetic. UPDATE: NBC now claims 138 million watched the opening 5 days of its Winter Olympics coverage, an average 26.4 million, 5 million more and 22% higher than 2006.
Editor-in-Chief Nikki Finke - tip her here.
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Too bad as soon as the Olympics are over, NBC’s going to be back to the usual crap that’s sucking the life out of the network.
Of course that’s not going to stop Zucker from declaring that he’s the greatest programming genius in the world for latching onto a major international sporting event simply by spending way too much money on their bid.
“skating federation’s uptight image that male figure skaters must be hetero” LOL
“or else the Canadian screw-ups are so entertaining (unwittingly reinforcing every McKenzie Brothers stereotype)”
Right, because an event in one section of one province means all Canadians are like the stereotypes from a movie. Oh well, by your logic, at least you’re unwittingly holding true to the American stereotype of being obnoxious and ignorant.
The Titanic analogy works perfectly, seeing as how the ratings monster is causing NBC to have $250 million of their money sink into oblivion.
Have you noticed the absence of pre-produced elements from the Olympics? “Up Close And Personals” backed up just before events, anything that could be eliminated as a cost center? This is certainly the El Cheapo Olympics.
That’s in your face a little bit, don’t you think?
Umm, male figure skaters must be hetero? Did anyone tell Brian Boitano this?
Evan Lysacek’s costume looked like one of Cher’s hand me downs.
Let’s separate the Olympics from the NBC coverage of it. Every 4 years we watch curling and other sports we normally don’t give a blink about because it is rare in this modern world of fools rising to the top (Zucker/NBC, okay I went there) to watch an honest to goodness competition where the cream truly rises to the top. It’s the fact that these athletes have trained for years for this moment where they publicly ride the line between hero and goat. The personal narratives are always engrossing (even if I forget them by the time the next event pops up). It truly is the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat.
Nikki,
I’d make one edit:
Wasn’t Johnny Weir’s costume last night a hoot and a half? I love how he shatters the skating federation’s uptight image that male figure skaters must pretend to be hetero.
Maybe the taste of success will motivate them to program better
This is actually pretty depressing, because NBC’s coverage is abysmal. All these results will do is encourage more rotten behavior.
Are they gaming the system somehow? Because I haven’t talked to anyone who isn’t flat-out pissed at the coverage.
138 million? For some reason, that number is incredibly hard to believe…maybe total worldwide, but not in the U.S. alone.
And they are only going to loose 250 million dollars….seems like a reason to celebrate.
Jeff I-melted GE Down must be jumping with joy…bet he can’t wait to tell all the anal-ists on the next conference call.
What a mess.
So basically the Execs. over at Notheing But Crap are popping champagne corks because the Olympics are being watched. Probably more along the lines of a collective sigh thinking that they could of screwed that up as much as all of their other programing, but didn’t. What a business.
Is NBC STILL GONNA LOSE MONEY AS THEY CLAIMED??????
As you put it, “But obviously Americans are so bored or ill…”
Pigs are flying because NBC is giving us the Swine Flu…
But according to another source, the ratings are below the Salt Lake City games in 2002.
Hey Nikki,
If your image or stereotype of Canadians is the Mackenzie Brothers then all I can say it’s time you left your apartment and joined the 21st century. Even at the height of their popularity, I never knew one Canadian that spoke or looked like them.
Then again, your comment reinforces our stereotype of the ignorant American. As great as your country can be at times, Americans are the most ignorant citizens of the world.
Put that in your medical marijuana pipe and smoke it Ignoramus Americanus.
Hi Nikki – while I`ve always appreciated your scathing wit, I have to say that as a Canadian, who lives in Vancouver, and works in the industry here – I find your comments, particularily “Canadian screw-ups who`re so entertaining” ignorant, offensive, and beneath someone of your calibre. Or so I thought….
I would encourage you to use this as an opportunity to, like the commenter above me suggests – leave your appartment and join the 21st century, and perhaps visit Vancouver right now and see if there might be other possiblites to consider before coming to such a harshly concluded judgement. I would think that, as a journalist who prides herself in uncovering the truth – that investigating both sides of the story in an earnest and open fashion, would be the rule, not the exception.
Honestly, Nikki – I`m sure your job allows and affords you to travel – why don`t come here and see if you have a good time, maybe then you`ll uncover something real and find you have something positive to say.
If that many people are watching the Olympics on NBC, imagine what a platform it is for promoting Parenthood, new reality shows, and the new Jay Leno show. The giant is awaking no matter what bitter, foolish, Hollywood types are saying among themselves.
Hooray for NBC!!!