Comments on: Michael Phelps Shines in Record Gold; But Not Live in California http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2008/08/16/michael-phelps-shines-in-record-gold-but-not-live-in-california/4709/ Wed, 15 Feb 2012 05:17:06 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Alex Gittleson http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2008/08/16/michael-phelps-shines-in-record-gold-but-not-live-in-california/4709/comment-page-1/#comment-266214 Alex Gittleson Mon, 18 Aug 2008 19:07:09 +0000 http://tvbythenumbers.com/?p=4709#comment-266214 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. 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: Alex Gittleson http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2008/08/16/michael-phelps-shines-in-record-gold-but-not-live-in-california/4709/comment-page-1/#comment-14404 Alex Gittleson Mon, 18 Aug 2008 14:07:09 +0000 http://tvbythenumbers.com/?p=4709#comment-14404 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. 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 http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2008/08/16/michael-phelps-shines-in-record-gold-but-not-live-in-california/4709/comment-page-1/#comment-14403 Sandy Sun, 17 Aug 2008 22:30:32 +0000 http://tvbythenumbers.com/?p=4709#comment-14403 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. 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 http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2008/08/16/michael-phelps-shines-in-record-gold-but-not-live-in-california/4709/comment-page-1/#comment-14371 Dave Sun, 17 Aug 2008 22:23:17 +0000 http://tvbythenumbers.com/?p=4709#comment-14371 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.<br><br>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 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: Sandy http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2008/08/16/michael-phelps-shines-in-record-gold-but-not-live-in-california/4709/comment-page-1/#comment-304349 Sandy Sun, 17 Aug 2008 18:46:00 +0000 http://tvbythenumbers.com/?p=4709#comment-304349 While it does suck about NBC's snubbing of the west coast, John did himself no favors by getting on the Internet when he knew he'd get the results spoiled for him. While it does suck about NBC’s snubbing of the west coast, John did himself no favors by getting on the Internet when he knew he’d get the results spoiled for him.

]]> By: brian http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2008/08/16/michael-phelps-shines-in-record-gold-but-not-live-in-california/4709/comment-page-1/#comment-14360 brian Sun, 17 Aug 2008 07:07:32 +0000 http://tvbythenumbers.com/?p=4709#comment-14360 <a href="http://www.petitiononline.com/NBCwest/petition.html">http://www.petitiononline.com/NBCwest/petition....</a><br><br>Sign this petition to let nbc know what you think about delayed coverage http://www.petitiononline.com/NBCwest/petition….

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

]]> By: John in CA http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2008/08/16/michael-phelps-shines-in-record-gold-but-not-live-in-california/4709/comment-page-1/#comment-304347 John in CA Sun, 17 Aug 2008 05:47:00 +0000 http://tvbythenumbers.com/?p=4709#comment-304347 I am so dumbfounded I can't speak. I sat in my California home like an idiot waiting for the race. I turn on my computer to do some pre-race web browsing only only to be slapped in the face with the "Big Reveal" splashed on my screen as soon as I connect to the real world (which does not include NBC!). Way to go NBC! You ruined another Olympic moment! I am so dumbfounded I can’t speak. I sat in my California home like an idiot waiting for the race. I turn on my computer to do some pre-race web browsing only only to be slapped in the face with the “Big Reveal” splashed on my screen as soon as I connect to the real world (which does not include NBC!). Way to go NBC! You ruined another Olympic moment!

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