Is the NBC online service available for everybody or do you need to have cable? I have a vague memory that I wanted to watch summer olympics online but couldn't access it.
I think you're thinking of live online streaming. That's different.
Is the NBC online service available for everybody or do you need to have cable? I have a vague memory that I wanted to watch summer olympics online but couldn't access it.
I think you're thinking of live online streaming. That's different.
I don't think it's about masculine or feminine. I think it's more about program and skating specific. I don't think Romeo would wear a costume like Hanyu's. I don't think Josh's costume is appropriate for Schindler's list. Christina Gao's costume looks like she is pulling against the straps and edges - it looks uncomfortable.
On the other hand, I'm old. I don't like draping - that includes Jeremy's gray and Chan's shirt. I prefer simple. I would love to see the guys in a shirt/turtle neck and pants. I would love to see the ladies in a leotard (preferably with sleeves) and skirt. Too often, for me, the costume distracts me from the skating.
Weir, the two-time Olympian and three-time U.S. champion who announced his retirement today, and Lipinski, the youngest individual gold medalist in the history of the Olympic Winter Games when she won in Nagano in 1998 at the age of 15, will serve as analysts for NBC Olympics’ multi-platform figure skating coverage.
Belbin, a silver medalist in ice dancing at the 2006 Torino Olympics, will serve as a reporter for NBC Olympics’ Sports Desk and will present features for The Olympic Zone, NBC Olympics’ 30-minute daily show for NBC affiliates covering all aspects of the Games.
From the Johnny and Tara press release - http://nbcsportsgrouppressbox.com/2013/10/23/johnny-weir-tara-lipinski-tanith-belbin-to-join-nbc-olympics-in-sochi/
I'm quite sure multi-platform means online streaming (like Shannon Miller did of Gymnastics in 2012). Tanith's assignment to the "Olympic Zone" is for the 30-minute program some of the local affiliates do to cover local athletes from their regions. My local affiliate sends reporters every Olympics for their version of "Olympic Zone".
Maybe cable TV too?
Well ... as I said on Thursday in The Edge thread re Weir, I found it mighty strange that the Weir/Lipinski press release from NBC did not underline (or even mention) that Hamilton/Bezic will be the commentators for NBC's broadcast coverage in Sochi.
And on Thursday when I searched the nbcsportsgrouppressbox site for confirmation that Hamilton/Bezic once again will be the broadcast analysts for the Olympics, I found no such confirmation.
So ... just my wild speculation, but I wonder whether the Weir/Lipinski GP commentator roles are "auditions" of sorts for the Sochi broadcast roles.
The cynic in me wonders also whether NBC has clauses in its contracts with Hamilton and Bezic that allows the network to opt out of using them for the Sochi broadcasts (perhaps such clauses, if any, would require NBC to "buy out" of using them.)
Again, just my speculation.
(And yes, I had noted earlier that Belbin's role clearly is different from Weir/Lipinski's multi-platform coverage. Agree on that point.)
Johnny Weir is on NBC now, commentating men's with Terry Gannon. Dream Team! Scott and Sandra are nowhere to be seen. Maybe NBC execs have finally decided to listen to skating-knowledgeable fans.
ETA: I thought Johnny's commentary on Jeremy's skating was respectful, balanced, and yes, hopeful the the rest of the season will build and improve.
Terry Gannon! Terry Gannon! Terry Gannon! Now we're getting somewhere. Is his contract up with ABC?
Julia does nothing for me - just as I still shed a tear when I remember Tara won. ugghh, I do not want to be accused of ageism but honestly - 15yo should not compete against Maos, Yunas, Carolinas, Akikos, or Kiiras.
I understand your hope and your speculation. Given, however, that in 2012, NBC used the same people for TV Gymnastics as usual (Al, Elfie, and Tim), but used a different team for online (Shannon), it is logical to assume it will be likewise in Sochi. To make this more convoluted, I think there are other companies involved, who actually do the streaming in agreement with NBC - don't know how all that plays out.
Just curious:
Did Shannon Miller serve as an analyst (instead of Schlegel) for NBC television broadcasts of gymnastic events leading up to 2012 London? (I don't know whether gymnastics has something comparable to the ISU GP season.)
Before and after attempting her comeback as a competitor, Nastia Liukin made some tv appearances as an NBC analyst (I don't remember for which competitions exactly), but I don't remember when/whether I saw/heard Miller on tv.
Julia's talent is impressive; but I'm going to have to agree with some of the other posters; there is something slightly missing for me.
NBC isn't trying to predict; it's using history. Americans have traditionally preferred individual skating more than pairs/dance.
No. Elfi's was the main on air NBC female commentator from 1992-2012. Shannon did do some commentary for NBC's HD coverage of the 2008 Olympics, though, I've been told. She also did some stuff for Comcast.
Vancouver ratings information from US Figure Skating fact sheet:
2010 OLYMPIC WINTER GAMES ON NBC
Event / Rating / Share
Pairs Short Program. . 14.3. . 23
Pairs Free Skate. . 14.2. . 22
Men’s Short Program. . 12.2. . 19
Men’s Free Skate. . 14.5. . 24
Compulsory Dance. . . . . .13.4. . 23
Original Dance. . 13.2. . 21
Free Dance. . 12.5. . 20
Ladies Short Program. . 12.6. . 20
Ladies Free Skate. . 13.6. . 23
Based on the numbers alone, lots of interesting -- and non-intuitive -- comparisons here:
For example, the Ladies SP had a lower rating and lower share than the CD, OD, and Pairs SP events.
Vancouver ratings information from US Figure Skating fact sheet:
2010 OLYMPIC WINTER GAMES ON NBC
Event / Rating / Share
Pairs Short Program. . 14.3. . 23
Pairs Free Skate. . 14.2. . 22
Men’s Short Program. . 12.2. . 19
Men’s Free Skate. . 14.5. . 24
Compulsory Dance. . . . . .13.4. . 23
Original Dance. . 13.2. . 21
Free Dance. . 12.5. . 20
Ladies Short Program. . 12.6. . 20
Ladies Free Skate. . 13.6. . 23
Based on the numbers alone, lots of interesting -- and non-intuitive -- comparisons here:
For example, the Ladies SP had a lower rating and lower share than the CD, OD, and Pairs SP events.
Vancouver ratings information from US Figure Skating fact sheet:
2010 OLYMPIC WINTER GAMES ON NBC
Event / Rating / Share
Pairs Short Program. . 14.3. . 23
Pairs Free Skate. . 14.2. . 22
Men’s Short Program. . 12.2. . 19
Men’s Free Skate. . 14.5. . 24
Compulsory Dance. . . . . .13.4. . 23
Original Dance. . 13.2. . 21
Free Dance. . 12.5. . 20
Ladies Short Program. . 12.6. . 20
Ladies Free Skate. . 13.6. . 23
Based on the numbers alone, lots of interesting -- and non-intuitive -- comparisons here:
For example, the Ladies SP had a lower rating and lower share than the CD, OD, and Pairs SP events.
unfortunately the numbers don't take into account the day of the week/time the broadcast happened.
unfortunately the numbers don't take into account the day of the week/time the broadcast happened.