NBC Proposal To Split U.S. Nationals Coverage Over Two Weekends
- Thread starter Joesitz (RIP)
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- Jun 27, 2003
yes, I know that, but they are over and done with well before the senior events start... where as Junior events tend to be sprinkled in between the short programs and compusory dance and original dance of the seniors. which is why I didn't mention the novice... the seniors stuff tends to run Wed-Sun Jrs. Mon-Fri... and the Novice is that first sunday and monday
IIRC 09 worlds is slated for NBC, but no other worlds past that have been mentioned.. 2010 probably depends on how well 09 does for NBC...
does NBC have the oly contract for 2014? That will also play a factor into how long they are interested in the sport.
Not if half the senior events take place the previous weekend.
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- Jun 27, 2003
I wasn't talking about this new format when I made mention of novice and juniors 
It was asked if Worlds would also go to this new format and I was just saying it wasn't as big a problem because you didn't have junior events to contend with for ice time.
It was asked if Worlds would also go to this new format and I was just saying it wasn't as big a problem because you didn't have junior events to contend with for ice time.
- Joined
- Jul 11, 2003
ITA gkelly. The non-caring absence of Novice and having to contend with Juniors seems to show the limited interests of fans in figure skating. Nothing wrong with that, but it does, imo, justify NBC's limited interest in the Sport. No GPs other than SA; No SPs; No Novice; No Juniors; Limited Pairs and Dance as well as not all of the Ladies live or taped. Mens is pure speculation unless the casual TV fans see a real sport in that division.
There is really no improvement of NBC over ABC in dealing with Nationals. So why do some fans get so excited other than it's better than nothing?
I can speculate too: if the ratings for figure skating in the Olys do not go up, or there is no financial gain for NBC, we will not see NBC back again. Their contract is over at the conclusion of the Olys.
I hope the Olys do bring on the financial profits for NBC and boosted by the figure skating events.
Meantime, there are other ways to watch complete coverage of US Nats and World championships.
Joe
There is really no improvement of NBC over ABC in dealing with Nationals. So why do some fans get so excited other than it's better than nothing?
I can speculate too: if the ratings for figure skating in the Olys do not go up, or there is no financial gain for NBC, we will not see NBC back again. Their contract is over at the conclusion of the Olys.
I hope the Olys do bring on the financial profits for NBC and boosted by the figure skating events.
Meantime, there are other ways to watch complete coverage of US Nats and World championships.
Joe
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- Jun 27, 2003
RD - I would hope that ABC would take it back on... but will they want to? They didn't seem to fight for their contract to be renewed, at least not from what little we're able to find out (and with Doug retiring... 
)
It's odd to think skating, save for Disson shows, wouldn't be on air... but it could very possibly turn out that way. I grew up not seeing a lot of competitive skating, guess I can go back to that lifestyle after this is all over. I am not going to pay to watch it online, though lol that 30 bucks can be better spent.
and before someone jumps all over and says something along the lines of that proves how I'm not a true fan - why pay when you can get it on youtube in a few hours after the event? or wait until the event isn't live and watch the repeats for free?
and, I'm not sure if the comment about some 'nonfans' not caring about novice was directed at my comments about the novice and junior events or not, but I will say that I do care (hey I saw Ashley Wagner at the novice level, and I've watched Keegan in jrs... among others) but the AVERAGE PUBLIC that sit on their butts and watch the events on the weekend when nothing else is on - don't give a rip... and that's NBC's target audience.
) It's odd to think skating, save for Disson shows, wouldn't be on air... but it could very possibly turn out that way. I grew up not seeing a lot of competitive skating, guess I can go back to that lifestyle after this is all over. I am not going to pay to watch it online, though lol that 30 bucks can be better spent.
and before someone jumps all over and says something along the lines of that proves how I'm not a true fan - why pay when you can get it on youtube in a few hours after the event? or wait until the event isn't live and watch the repeats for free?
and, I'm not sure if the comment about some 'nonfans' not caring about novice was directed at my comments about the novice and junior events or not, but I will say that I do care (hey I saw Ashley Wagner at the novice level, and I've watched Keegan in jrs... among others) but the AVERAGE PUBLIC that sit on their butts and watch the events on the weekend when nothing else is on - don't give a rip... and that's NBC's target audience.
according to a poster at FSU, the two-weekend deal has been all but confirmed...and it is "due to NBC" apparently, so sounds as if NBC wanted it and USFS either didn't put up much of a fight or wanted to give it a shot as well.
Forget about live attendance for a sec...do you think this format is REALLY going to be more TV-friendly? Would you prefer this to everything being on a single weekend? Will this approach boost ratings, especially if most coverage is in Prime Time (and LIVE)? Keep in mind that the first weekend will likely be during the NFL Conference Championships.
Forget about live attendance for a sec...do you think this format is REALLY going to be more TV-friendly? Would you prefer this to everything being on a single weekend? Will this approach boost ratings, especially if most coverage is in Prime Time (and LIVE)? Keep in mind that the first weekend will likely be during the NFL Conference Championships.
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- Jul 11, 2003
Good questions and what would a new Network prefer? This whole question of split weekends limited competions of Nats is a wait and see.
Other questions for NBC, will they be able to get sponsor ads on the boards of the Cleveland Arena? The whatever Arena for 2010? I'm not a business man but I know enough about logistics to know this is not an easy go for NBC, and I wish them good luck.
FYI. In Gotenborg, there were no American ads, that I can remember on the boards of that Arena, but there were European and Asian ads. One ad advertized the next Worlds in LA. Did the USFS foot the bill for that? What will there be in LA regarding ads?.
Just hoping for a nice big surprise by NBC.
Joe
According to Phil Hersh, 3 of the 4 finalist bid cities for 2010 Nationals are Spokane (WA), Providence (RI) and Portland (OR). Link: http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/sports_globetrotting/2008/04/spokanes-skatin.html
Here's what the poster posted after receiving a Silver Blades tour brochure update for 2010 Nationals:
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- Jul 11, 2003
OK, I suppose NBC will have some input in the selection. I think the last Nats on the east coast was Atlanta in 2004. Correct?. While I liked Portland and Spokane, I could dash up to Providence much easier. But I still would have to deal with the split weekends. I'll think about it.
Joe
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- Jun 27, 2003
any idea as to why Spokane WA and Portland OR are up for 2010? they just hosted them... seems a little unfair to other areas, eh?
I wonder if they're hoping for a better turn out, even if they aren't doing LIVE but a tape delay it would be a tape delay for later in the day sort of thing. (like they did for the men this year)
Joe brings up a good point - does NBC have a say in where this is going to be held? West coast would be nicer if NBC wanted to to LIVE events because everyone will be up/at home and ready to watch if the times are west coast...
lots of things to keep us guessing all summer long
I wonder if they're hoping for a better turn out, even if they aren't doing LIVE but a tape delay it would be a tape delay for later in the day sort of thing. (like they did for the men this year)
Joe brings up a good point - does NBC have a say in where this is going to be held? West coast would be nicer if NBC wanted to to LIVE events because everyone will be up/at home and ready to watch if the times are west coast...
lots of things to keep us guessing all summer long
Perhaps a bit off topic, but with all the discussion of split weekends, I'm assuming that format is under discussion for 2010.
Is it safe to say the format used in St. Paul for 2008 will be in place for Cleveland in 2009 - All 4 Championship events on the weekend?
Is there any word of a championship weekend package for Cleveland as there was for St. Paul?
Inquiring minds want to know. So do I. Thanks.
Is it safe to say the format used in St. Paul for 2008 will be in place for Cleveland in 2009 - All 4 Championship events on the weekend?
Is there any word of a championship weekend package for Cleveland as there was for St. Paul?
Inquiring minds want to know. So do I. Thanks.
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- Jun 27, 2003
yes this split is JUST for 2010 as of the latest articles... it will be the first time and it's technically an experiment...
Thanks for the confirmation. Is it officially official that will be the way it's done - wherever it's held. I suspect the ability to get the venue to approve or be available for that format would be a determining factor - either in awarding the event and/or whether or not it truly happens at all. I'm still hoping not.
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- Jun 27, 2003
see Sylvia's last post above... it sounds official to me.
I don't think there's much more to say here...other than it seems as if we likely won't have any "special events" (Marshall's, etc.) besides SA and Nats, and for 2010 looks like we'll have the split-weekend thing after all (boooooo). The fans only have to hope that such a move is beneficial in the long run.
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- Jun 27, 2003
you'll also have the Disson shows - all of which will be on NBC.... NBC is going to be THE skating network through 2010...
Missed that one somehow, thanks.
Yep it does seem we are stuck with that - hope it does turn out to be in the best interest of the sport, though I have my doubts.
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- Jul 11, 2003
We've known Campbells and Marshalls were out some time ago. This had nothing to do with NBC, The companies just fled figure skating. I thought these American competitions on Sunday afternoons were great family entertainment. However, Japan began its 'Japan Open', which was geared more to internatonal competitions. It was a question of Kimmie v. Emily or Kimmie v. Mao. but not both.
We've also known since the beginning that NBC was ONLY interested in American venues. There would be no GPs, no Worlds covered by NBC outside the United States. NBC will cover the Olys as it has in the past for so many years. That's the whole kit and kaboodle for NBC. I think most fans will say it is better than nothing. (I suspect, the cynic I am) that they had a long talk with ABC about the programming, and it is possible that they told NBC that coverage outside the US is a losing venture.
ABC/ESPN must have realized that Figure Skating is a losing proposition for them, and they wanted to dump it. We were lucky they agreed to remain until the contract ended. Presumably, Poker, Billiards, Bowling along with reruns of the great Boxing events of the past will bring in more profits. It's Baseball coverage on ESPN is also popular despite it shows games that are not local.
Apparently non competitive figure skating is a popular entertainment. At least that's what I read in the threads. So if that grabs you, Disson will be around.
Joe
We've also known since the beginning that NBC was ONLY interested in American venues. There would be no GPs, no Worlds covered by NBC outside the United States. NBC will cover the Olys as it has in the past for so many years. That's the whole kit and kaboodle for NBC. I think most fans will say it is better than nothing. (I suspect, the cynic I am) that they had a long talk with ABC about the programming, and it is possible that they told NBC that coverage outside the US is a losing venture.
ABC/ESPN must have realized that Figure Skating is a losing proposition for them, and they wanted to dump it. We were lucky they agreed to remain until the contract ended. Presumably, Poker, Billiards, Bowling along with reruns of the great Boxing events of the past will bring in more profits. It's Baseball coverage on ESPN is also popular despite it shows games that are not local.
Apparently non competitive figure skating is a popular entertainment. At least that's what I read in the threads. So if that grabs you, Disson will be around.
Joe
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