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NBC brings it home with mix of order, adventure
David Neal has a simple explanation for why the Beijing Games are resonating this summer and beating ratings projections on TV and online.
It’s feng shui, the ancient Chinese principle of keeping things in order, he suggested from NBC’s broadcast compound in China last Thursday morning, following the network’s prime-time Wednesday-night broadcast. The city of Beijing was built on the principle, which could be helping these Games, the executive suggested.
“Maybe we’re the beneficiaries of that,” said the executive producer for NBC’s Olympics broadcast. The International Broadcast Center, where NBC operates, “is just to the left of the line. Maybe that’s why it’s working so well.” Read More >
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Roundtable Assesses Mid-Games Marketing Issues
As the Beijing Games continue into the second week, the panelists in the latest installment of our Olympics roundtable reflected on the marketing impact of one of the biggest stories of the first week, Michael Phelps’ record eight gold medals. Participants also assessed other marketing and business stories from the opening week and offered their take on whether the momentum can continue. Read More >
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Medal Stand
Gold
Sports Illustrated
The first eight-medal photo of Michael Phelps was going to end up somewhere, and SI made sure that it was the place. It rolls out in this week's issue (a shirtless Phelps in front of a red background with eight gold medals hanging around his neck). It's hard to say whether or not that big goofy grin will sell magazines, but it can't hurt.
Silver
AVP
As if NBC's continuous prime-time coverage of beach volleyball wasn't enough, the pro beach volleyball tour wound up with the best-case scenario for a gold-medal match when American stars Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh take on a team from China on Thursday.
Bronze
NBC and DVR
Is NBC intentionally making the Olympics DVR resistant? The network has things set up in six-hour increments, and yesterday morning it set the USA basketball game to start in the fifth hour of a six-hour block and then carry through an additional six-hour block from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. On most DVRs, that means you had to record 12 hours of programming to get the entire game. Seems a little fishy to us.
Tin
Judging controversies
Judging controversies have become as much an Olympic tradition as doves during the Opening Ceremony. Yesterday, Nastia Liukin found herself in the center of the latest controversy when she tied for first place in the uneven bars but ended up with the silver medal. It was just the latest in a string of controversies that ultimately devalue Olympic competition. -
Traditional Olympic Tune-Out Shouldn’t Hurt NBC
Even the traditional tune-out that happens during the second week of the Olympics shouldn’t stop NBC this year.
Since 1992, the Summer Olympics have averaged a 12.5 percent drop in viewership during their second week. Barcelona in 1992 saw the greatest drop, 16 percent, and Atlanta in 1996 saw the smallest, 9 percent. Sydney in 2000 and Athens in 2004 each saw 12 percent drops. Read More > -
NBC Slips Without Phelps, Averaging A 17.2
NBC earned a 15.8/28 national rating with 26.8 million viewers for Sunday night's prime-time coverage of the
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USOC, Panasonic Scream Foul Over Vizio Ad
Vizio called its latest commercial on NBC “Splash,” but the U.S. Olympic Committee and its partner Panasonic feel more like it’s a cannonball.
The 30-second Vizio commercial, which is airing during the Olympics, promotes the company’s high-definition television by showing an athlete complete a slow-motion dive against the backdrop of an American flag. The ad raised red flags for the USOC and Panasonic, the official audio and video partner for the Olympics worldwide, according to people familiar with the matter. Read More > -
Torres, Liukin Book “Tonight Show” Appearances
After the Olympic flame is extinguished on Sunday, NBC will keep newly minted Olympic stars Dara Torres and Nastia Liukin in the spotlight. The swimmer and gymnast are scheduled for appearances on “The Tonight Show” on Aug. 25 and 26, respectively. Both athletes are represented by Evan Morgenstein of Raleigh-based Premier Management Group.
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Catching Up With The NBA’s Tim Chen, Heidi Ueberroth
The NBA has thrived in the land of 1.3 billion for years. Now, it’s looking to cash in by creating its own NBA China division, which is valued at more than $2.5 billion. The company, which has opened two NBA stores, is being managed by CEO Tim Chen and supported from the U.S. by Heidi Ueberroth, the league’s president of global marketing partnerships and international business operations. Both sat down in Beijing with SportsBusiness Journal staff writer Tripp Mickle to talk about the company and its plan. Read More > -
On The Air: Technology Enhances NBC's Performance
From the moment the Opening Ceremony began in Beijing, some of the most lasting images of the Olympics have been created with the help of sophisticated technology. The NBC production teams have paired their technical prowess with the best athletic performances in the world to showcase the defining moments of the XXIX Olympiad. Read More >
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Inside The Business Following Phelps’ Run To History
Maybe, just maybe, with his past Olympic week of medals and records, Michael Phelps has single-handedly changed the nature of swimming. It sure feels that way in Beijing.
Let the Phelps Phrenzy begin. His agent is in full leverage mode. His current sponsors are in activation overdrive.
Let us count the ways that Michaelmania is manifesting itself …
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