Tape Delayed 2010 Winter Olympics Still Ratings Winner for NBC

Even with Lazy West Coast Coverage by NBC, Ratings Are Higher Than 2006 Winter Olympics

Ryan Christopher DeVault
The tape delayed 2010 Vancouver Olympics are turning in great ratings numbers for NBC. The weekend Olympics ratings for NBC hit 26.2 million viewers on Saturday night, making it the highest rated Winter Olympics since 1994. With the close proximity to the 2010 Winter Games it had been assumed that the ratings numbers for NBC would be much improved this year, and it appears to be blowing the ratings from the 2006 Winter Olympics out of the water. It is also starting to appear that many viewers don't care that the Olympics are being taped and shown later to half of the country. Or it could be that NBC has done a good job at hiding that fact from viewers.

Many of the networks seemed to believe that NBC could get great ratings from the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, and it has led to very few original shows by the major networks. Only a few shows aren't in repeats right now, with Fox the major network trying to stay in competition with these Olympic Winter Games. When American Idol airs on Tuesday and Wednesday we will get an idea of whether that idea worked, but we may learn even sooner when the Sunday ratings come in. Fox is still airing new episodes of The Simpsons and Family Guy, and CBS has new episodes of Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains that will go head-to-head with the NBC Olympics broadcast on Thursday.

There has been a lot of controversy around the lazy programming that NBC has been putting out during the 2010 Winter Games, and many viewers have been unable to figure out why NBC is tape delaying the Olympics for half of the country. In fact, West Coast viewers, who share the same time zone as the Vancouver Olympics, are having their coverage tape delayed by three hours (minimum) for each event. There have been Facebook groups started with the intent of boycotting these Olympics for the ridiculous choice by NBC to tape delay every single event (and the opening and closing ceremonies) by at least three hours. The middle finger from NBC could be joined by laughter from the executives now though, as the ratings had been very profitable for the network.

References:

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NBC Olympics Ratings

Published by Ryan Christopher DeVault - Featured Contributor in Sports

Born in Seattle, Washington, I am a 31 year old college graduate working in the field of Education and Research. I am also a professional freelance writer and news content provider. I can be reached at...   View profile

7 Comments

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  • American Image Theatre Company 2/17/2010

    We watch because we have no choice. We rather be watching live coverage. It suck knowing who has already won the event.

  • Cholmondley 2/16/2010

    The comments above reflect the fact that the ratings are acceptable because we, on the West Coast, have no choice but to watch the tape delayed coverage. The ratings would be higher if the coverage was live, followed by a highlights show later at night.

  • Adj 2/16/2010

    The best way to enjoy the tape delayed Olympics is with your DVR. What's the difference between 3 hours tape delayed and 13 hours taped delayed? No annoying NBC chit chat and no commercials.

  • David Hue 2/16/2010

    Ratings are good because they have a monopoly, haven't met one person on the West Coast not pissed about their coverage.

    I think they will find that the backlash and hatred of NBC for years to come because of this will not be worth the extra money in ad revenue.

  • NBC Hater 2/15/2010

    The fact that we watch it anyway, doesn't mean we aren't very angry that it is tape delayed.

  • HSS 2/15/2010

    As if we have a freaking choice!! If I could watch it live do you think I'd watch idiotic NBC? NO WAY!!

  • MK 2/15/2010

    i hate NBC! i wisj i could see it now!!! i'm on the west coast dammit!

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