NBC Schedule for US Nats

[demarinis5]

I just read the article. If I am understanding correctly the top ten ladies LP will air live in the evening as group A. Group B will air on the same date in the morning. I wonder if Group B will be televised live, I am thinking probably not. The men's LP will not be live but taped. I hope I can keep this changing schedule straight. Thanks for the link to the article.

 

[merrybari]

I just read the article. If I am understanding correctly the top ten ladies LP will air live in the evening as group A. Group B will air on the same date in the morning. I wonder if Group B will be televised live, I am thinking probably not. The men's LP will not be live but taped. I hope I can keep this changing schedule straight. Thanks for the link to the article.

You're welcome.

It was unclear to me if the Group B ladies would be broadcast at all. I rather doubt it tho'. As for the rest of it, that's the way I understood it, too.

Keeping the schedule straight is a major task for everyone these days. If I may borrow an expression: "It takes a village." Thanks for GS members to help.

 

[Mathman]

Now, has anyone explained to these network types that the Superbowl would be one tenth as popular if it was broadcast two days later?

I agree completely. Delayed broadcasts just kill any possible interest a person might have in watching a sports contest. Case in point: the Grand Prix (of figure skating, not auto racing, LOL).

 

[merrybari]

I agree completely. Delayed broadcasts just kill any possible interest a person might have in watching a sports contest. Case in point: the Grand Prix (of figure skating, not auto racing, LOL).

Absolutely agree as well!!! Though it's "H.E. double toothpicks" on my nerves, give me live any day! Better yet - live AND in person!!! Oh my heart!!

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

You're welcome.

It was unclear to me if the Group B ladies would be broadcast at all. I rather doubt it tho'. As for the rest of it, that's the way I understood it, too.

Keeping the schedule straight is a major task for everyone these days. If I may borrow an expression: "It takes a village." Thanks for GS members to help.

I can't imagine NBC showing a morning and afternoon of figure skating LIVE.
NBC is used to the Olys which is all laid out well in advance and giving the Dance on Ladies events prime time. NBC is not used to Worlds set up.

Joe

 

[chuckm]

Here's the REAL rub: If NBC is going to show taped coverage, then a certain unmentionable commercial website can't air the events live, so we won't even have an option to follow the events as they happen. That commercial website may still be able post the RESULTS about a half hour after the event is over.

This means we will all be in the dark until the results are posted. For those who prefer to watch the events as if they were live, they can avoid going to that commercial website and/or other sports sites that might leak results.

But for those of us whose greatest pleasure is following events live, THIS IS HORRIBLE!

 

[Sylvia]

Here is the NBC TV schedule for U.S. Nationals as published on the site that can't be linked here (as of today) -- all times EASTERN:
Sat. Jan. 26, 2008 NBC 4:00pm - 6:00pm (Pairs FS taped highlights? other taped highlights such as Ladies SP?)
Sat. Jan. 26, 2008 8:00pm - 11:00pm (LIVE - last few FD & 10 Ladies FS)
Sun. Jan. 27, 2008 NBC 7:00pm - 9:00pm (Men's FS taped)
Sat. Feb. 2, 2008 Skating Spectacular NBC 4:00pm - 6:00pm

 

[chuckm]

I have a feeling that those broadcast times may change yet again. No way to know for sure until we are closer to the broadcast. That is really rough for people going to Nationals who want to set their VCRs ahead of time.

 

[merrybari]

That is really rough for people going to Nationals who want to set their VCRs ahead of time.

Amen to that! And I have emailed my frustration to usfsa! Not that I expect it'll do much good, but I think they need to know so they can do better next time.

I've always heard that "silence in acceptance." As I do not accept this as the way it should be, I chose not to be silent - this time.

BTW: the times listed from the not to be named site are the same as those listed in the January 2008 usfsa SKATING magazine. Mine just came today.

Still CYLL (Check your local listing) - changes are still possible.

 

[R.D.]

I wonder if trading live coverage for prime time coverage is really a good thing...and will actually increase ratings. Interest in men's skating isn't as high as ladies, though, so it may not matter that much when you count in the casual fans. Of course, the hardcore fans will be disappointed/angry and rightfully so. But if you want to blame anyone for this, put it on the Writer's Guild of America. The article made it sound like THAT was the reason for the change in schedule...they couldn't produce enough Dateline episodes so they decided to replace one of them with the skating telecast. We'll see, though.

 

[R.D.]

I agree completely. Delayed broadcasts just kill any possible interest a person might have in watching a sports contest. Case in point: the Grand Prix (of figure skating, not auto racing, LOL).

At least it's only a couple of hours and not delayed until the next day. But this may be the first time in years that the men's event at US Nats is NOT covered live...I think ABC always had live Saturday afternoon coverage of that event.

and of course, USFS can't move the men's event so NBC can cover it live in that new time slot...unless they held the Exhibitions as a separate event next weekend or during the week. The other option is, of course, to cover the Gala live (seems like they may have considered that actually since it was listed before they changed it), but they would have to create additional hours for the men's event. What they COULD have done was to leave the men's event as live in the afternoon, and cover the exhibitions LIVE in that new time slot, scrapping the Feb 2nd broadcast. But what would get higher ratings, a LIVE gala broadcast or a delayed Men's event? I think we know that one...or...not?

 

[merrybari]

At least it's only a couple of hours and not delayed until the next day. But this may be the first time in years that the men's event at US Nats is NOT covered live...I think ABC always had live Saturday afternoon coverage of that event.

and of course, USFS can't move the men's event so NBC can cover it live in that new time slot...unless they held the Exhibitions as a separate event next weekend or during the week. The other option is, of course, to cover the Gala live (seems like they may have considered that actually since it was listed before they changed it), but they would have to create additional hours for the men's event. What they COULD have done was to leave the men's event as live in the afternoon, and cover the exhibitions LIVE in that new time slot, scrapping the Feb 2nd broadcast. But what would get higher ratings, a LIVE gala broadcast or a delayed Men's event? I think we know that one...or...not?

Seems like the rub to keeping the men's live coverage as originally planned and adding the LIVE coverage of the Gala would have to do with the hours originally agreed upon in the contract. I believe I read nine hours of live coverage - between SA and Nationals. They already had their planned, contracted 7 hours.


Ahhh - the possibilities! In the end it seems the $$ is what counts, never mind the fans - from whence the $$ ultimately come. Same as the chicken and egg thing. A circle with no end, eh? Or in this case, a question with no answer. :banging:

At least now I have a better idea of how/when/what to set my VCR for.

 

[R.D.]

Seems like the rub to keeping the men's live coverage as originally planned and adding the LIVE coverage of the Gala would have to do with the hours originally agreed upon in the contract. I believe I read nine hours of live coverage - between SA and Nationals. They already had their planned, contracted 7 hours.

That's why I said scrap the Feb 2nd telecast to do it. There would still be 9 hours of coverage included.

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

On the pro side of watching the exhibitions: You get to see Scott Hamilton introduce all the winners with a little comic quip. Does that get ya? For me the only thing I would like to see are the winners of the Novice divisions. However for those not at St.Paul, they will also see the winners of the Junior divisions.

On the con side of watching the exhibitions: you will see a more relaxed performer skating more likely to a popular number, hip hop, jazzy. bluesy, Anything but nothing like it would be used in competition.

In the past it has been a substantially long show with ABC. What if any surprises NBC gives it, the bottom line is you will not see serious competitive skating at the Exhibitions. Not sure why this show has to be changed? It's not like they will award medals. The following week will be fine.

Don't know why NBC doesn't mention it's subsidaries. I think they do not have a sports one.

Joe

 

[Tonichelle]

I'm not sure if Scott will be at Nationals... his baby boy is due to arrive sometime this month....

 

[R.D.]

If the men's event were kept live it would have aired opposite NBA coverage on ABC, so maybe this move is better than it appears to be (although obviously the NBA audience is VERY different from the folks who watch men's FS, lol)

Since I'm not big on the men, I likely will not watch no matter when it's shown on TV.

 

[Tonichelle]

considering all of skating depends on ratings I would think you'd want to watch or at least have it on to support the sport

 

[R.D.]

considering all of skating depends on ratings I would think you'd want to watch or at least have it on to support the sport

I will definitely watch Sat. afternoon and evening for the ladies program, though. But I may sit out Sunday's coverage (unless they are planning recaps or extras of past coverage).

The news of the switch apparently made the Sports Media Watch blog (under "Idle Notes" for 1/10), which I'm a regular reader of and was surprised to see him mention it here.

http://sportsmediawatch.blogspot.com/

The first sport to benefit from the writer's strike is apparently figure skating. NBC has moved coverage of the U.S. Figure Skating Championships to prime-time on January 26 and 27, replacing episodes of Dateline.

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

If the men's event were kept live it would have aired opposite NBA coverage on ABC, so maybe this move is better than it appears to be (although obviously the NBA audience is VERY different from the folks who watch men's FS, lol)

Since I'm not big on the men, I likely will not watch no matter when it's shown on TV.

At 7pm the Wife says I'm not cooking so the family goes out to a Sunday night dinner.

People who watch NBA championships are not going to watch Figure Skating at 7pm. They will finish their drinks and head to a Sports Bar for dinner for important discussions about the game. Ratings are not a point of interest.

A taped version of the event will give NBC a chance to edit out 1 skater and we will see 5. This will also make room for some important commercials.

Joe

 

[Tonichelle]

There have been studies to suggest that Sunday is a popular family dinner night

if the family does go out to eat it's normally lunch...