Those who lamented the taped results of many events from NBC during the just-completed Winter Games might find little solace when the Olympics return in 2012 for the Summer Games in London.Because of steady primetime ratings, and because of strong support from the International Olympic Committee, it's hard to imagine NBC changing its approach.
“Look at the numbers,” Richard Carrión said, the IOC's top broadcast executive, told Sports Business Daily. “Everyone thinks they’re a television producer. I think Dick Ebersol has proven to be a pretty good one, so I wouldn’t question his judgment.”
In addition, Canadian IOC member Dick Pound was among others who brushed aside U.S. criticism and offered support.
“That’s why you sell rights on a territorial basis to broadcasters who understand their audiences,” Pound said. “If the U.S. likes their Games delayed and told as a story, fine. The market will tell you if you’ve got it wrong. So far it hasn’t.”
Also, those who complain about the lack of live coverage of major events during daytime hours often seem to assume that ESPN or some other network and partners could do it better because they have a commitment to sports programming. Or, that a daytime ratings boost for live events would bolster NBC, making that another good reason to abandon its already proven business model. Sometimes, it's just not so simple.
By 2012 the model could change, with online, real-time news and smart phones delivering more and more timely information. By that time, NBC might adapt to meet those needs. And NBC itself might change by that time, too. It's pending purchase by cable giant Comcast might prompt an "on-demand" Olympics (as Comcast does with concerts, movies and other programs).
Rights for the 2014 Winter Games in Sochi, Russia, have not been awarded. However, an IOC official said they hope to award rights for the 2014 and 2016 Games in "Gatekeepers Package," which would put broadband, mobile and television into one package for media entities to consider.
In addition, Canadian IOC member Dick Pound was among others who brushed aside U.S. criticism and offered support.
“That’s why you sell rights on a territorial basis to broadcasters who understand their audiences,” Pound said. “If the U.S. likes their Games delayed and told as a story, fine. The market will tell you if you’ve got it wrong. So far it hasn’t.”
Also, those who complain about the lack of live coverage of major events during daytime hours often seem to assume that ESPN or some other network and partners could do it better because they have a commitment to sports programming. Or, that a daytime ratings boost for live events would bolster NBC, making that another good reason to abandon its already proven business model. Sometimes, it's just not so simple.
By 2012 the model could change, with online, real-time news and smart phones delivering more and more timely information. By that time, NBC might adapt to meet those needs. And NBC itself might change by that time, too. It's pending purchase by cable giant Comcast might prompt an "on-demand" Olympics (as Comcast does with concerts, movies and other programs).
Rights for the 2014 Winter Games in Sochi, Russia, have not been awarded. However, an IOC official said they hope to award rights for the 2014 and 2016 Games in "Gatekeepers Package," which would put broadband, mobile and television into one package for media entities to consider.
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