Is Youth Marketing Paying Off For NBC?

NBC has spent the past year promoting the speed and appeal of U.S. athletes participating in the snowboarding and freestyle skiing competitions at the Winter Games, and those athletes delivered on opening weekend in making these Olympics look like the X Games. The generally placid Games took on a different flavor with snowboarder Kelly Clark winning the first U.S. Gold in front of a boisterous crowd listening to the sounds of Blink 182 and Guns 'N Roses. Early ratings indicate these "hipper" Games have struck a chord with viewers.

Glad To Be Home Again
NBC ratings strong out of the gate — 21.5/36 two-night average up 45% over Nagano — but network still suffers from the tape-delay quandary. Data shows 26% of NBC's event coverage has been live, but no live coverage Sunday.

Few Complaints, For Now
Games proceed with no security threats; while some spectators seem OK with delays getting into venues, organizers worried about how long impatient media can wait.

Don Mischer's Opus
Opening Ceremony's look back at American history seems to resonate with most critics.

Difficulty With Customs
NHL under fire for refusing to allow some foreign players to participate in early rounds.

The Space Between
Salt Lake's Olympic Medals Plaza a hit, but are acts, including the Dave Matthews Band, overshadowing athletes?

International Intrigue
David Stern pulls a surprise during All-Star Weekend and discusses int'l expansion.