There would be no Olympic Games without television. It’s that simple. The sale of broadcast rights by the IOC to networks around the world represent by far the largest revenue stream available to the Olympic Movement. And the multi-billion dollar contracts negotiated with American broadcasters–most recently NBC–is far and away the most lucrative of those.
In [...]

[Read more →]

If you want to know why the TV ratings have been solid gold for NBC this year, look no further than the medal count. After the first week, the United States already has 20 medals. While the Russians were yapping about aiming for 40 medals at these Games, it’s the Americans who have a seven-medal [...]

[Read more →]

American Idol anyone? How ’bout skiing, speed skating, and half pipe? NBC, which until Friday’s Opening Ceremonies had been struggling in last place among the networks, had as good a night Wednesday as Lindsey Vonn, Shaun White, and Shani Davis.
As TVbythenumbers.com points out, “NBC averaged an 8.9/23 rating/share with adults 18-49 and 29.26 million viewers [...]

[Read more →]

If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at–look, I’m just going to say it. The ladies’ Snowboard Cross “competition” was vastly and objectively lamer than the mens’. I won’t even start in on the monumental choke job turned in by American media obsession Lindsey Jacobellis. We all know that story; and now we know how [...]

[Read more →]

Jimmy D is filling us in on the Canadian Olympic obsession. In this installment, thoughts on a gold medal and the adorable winner; Bob Costas in HD; luge tragedy and beavers.
Through the magic of instant editing, my initial contribution to this site included the news of Canada’s first ever gold medal won on home soil. [...]

[Read more →]

It used to be that everyday Americans cared about Winter Olympic sports for at least a month or two every four years. But that window has grown narrower. When held on North American soil, the Olympics tend to feel grander and more “present” than when held overseas.
But Vancouver might as well be at the South Pole for all the excitement it’s generated. [...]

[Read more →]