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  >

In the rush to anoint BMX racing as the next great Olympic “action” sport, the media, the IOC and NBC are overlooking just one thing — pedal clips.

Bicycle clips, like the ones BMX racers will wear during NBC’s prime-time broadcast tonight, aren’t cool, according to a panel of action sports experts who gathered at SportsBusiness Journal’s offices in New York last month.    Read More  >

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  >

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 earned a 15.8/28 national rating with 26.8 million viewers for Sunday night's prime-time coverage of the Beijing Games, even with the comparable night in Athens in 2004. Through Sunday, NBC is averaging a 17.2/30 national rating (29.8 million viewers) for 10 prime-time telecasts, up 8.9 percent from a 15.8/28 in Athens and marking the best rating through the second Sunday of a non-U.S. Summer Games since an 18.6/35 for the 1992 Barcelona Games.    Read More  >

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  >

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.