What would be ideal is if NBC picked up broadcast rights for 2009 Worlds and showed their cursory two hours of primetime coverage on NBC for the many people who watch skating if it's on, but don't follow it obsessively like those of us on the boards (and I'm still convinced that us board users/advanced results getters/YouTube watchers are a small minority of people who watch skating), and shoved a massive number of hours of live or tape-delayed (as appropriate) coverage onto their affiliated networks, particularly Bravo (I actually think figure skating and Bravo are a great fit!). I realize, however, that this is probably just a dream.
It actually makes perfect sense to me that NBC is trying to actively drum up interest in the premier sport of the Winter Olympics, because viewership in 2006 was different -- and down (from 2002 in SLC which isn't hard, since there were so many things -- location, patriotic fervor, etc. -- that contributed to sky-high ratings) -- from what they had experienced in the past. NBC Sports like to tell stories, and they are trying to start writing their stories for Olympic figure skating early. This is especially true since they are going without a major star for the first time in several Olympics. I suspect that they are hoping, in the alternative, for a major story.
I truly believe that in-depth coverage of figure skating is increasingly going to be an internet-only venture. I know that sucks for a lot of reasons, but I hope those kinks are eventually worked out! I'm personally okay with that, because it gives me greater opportunity to see more younger, lower-level skaters than I would with any television coverage.
I actually think it will interesting to see what happens with and who picks up Olympic coverage after NBC's contract with the IOC is up in 2012.