Barcelona_'92 Posted January 7, 2014 Report Share Posted January 7, 2014 First off, corrected that typo for you there I don't know that Vonn will want to do that. Does she really want to be working at an Olympics she would otherwise be competing in? Obviously NBC would like to have her in the mix, but she may not be interested LOL, thanks--I was typing on my Kindle and it autocorrected. Oops! If she's getting surgery soon, she may not be able to go to Sochi anyway. When I watched one of the World Cup races on Universal Sports in December, it sounded as though NBC has a standing offer on the table to Lindsey to be part of their coverage. Hopefully this will not be as devastating to NBC's ratings as Kwan's withdrawal from Torino was--at least viewers know a month in advance that Vonn will not be competing, and NBC can adapt its marketing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quaker2001 Posted January 7, 2014 Report Share Posted January 7, 2014 I was just thinking that about Torino. The United States team was very successful there, but the ratings were underwhelming and it seemed like the American team didn't do so well because the big names like Michelle Kwan and Bode Miller weren't in the medal picture. Seems like we're starting to feel a repeat of that with Lysacek and Vonn now both out of action and some other medal prospects not looking as bright as we would have thought. Like you said though, it's still a month until the Olympics so hopefully that goes NBC a chance to regroup and maybe find some other storylines to push Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FiveRingFever Posted January 7, 2014 Report Share Posted January 7, 2014 First off, corrected that typo for you there I don't know that Vonn will want to do that. Does she really want to be working at an Olympics she would otherwise be competing in? Obviously NBC would like to have her in the mix, but she may not be interested I'm not sure Vonn would be all that interesting on TV. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quaker2001 Posted January 7, 2014 Report Share Posted January 7, 2014 Your 2014 Winter Olympics announcing assignments Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quaker2001 Posted January 7, 2014 Report Share Posted January 7, 2014 I saw on Twitter that NBC is going to have a Gold Zone channel online, similar to when they had for London. This time it looks like it will have a host though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quaker2001 Posted January 7, 2014 Report Share Posted January 7, 2014 NBC will NOT be streaming the Opening Ceremony live and they're still debating whether or not they'll show the Closing Ceremony live.. NBC Explains Decision Not To Live-Stream Sochi Olympics Opening Ceremonies I've defended NBC for a lot of their decision-making in the past because at least I could understand the reasoning behind it. This one is just plain wrong, and it goes against their own research that says the online viewing drives people to check out the coverage on TV. Even I'm going to say it to this one.. #nbcfail Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BTHarner Posted January 7, 2014 Report Share Posted January 7, 2014 Before I read that link, I predict I will see the same quotes that they used about London ("its an entertainment spectacle, not a sporting event" and "our coverage is tailored to an American audience"). Now let's see if they have come up with fresh material.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quaker2001 Posted January 7, 2014 Report Share Posted January 7, 2014 Before I read that link, I predict I will see the same quotes that they used about London ("its an entertainment spectacle, not a sporting event" and "our coverage is tailored to an American audience"). Now let's see if they have come up with fresh material.. And your prediction is correct.. pretty much the exact same BS they gave us before London, that we Americans need "context" in order to view the Opening Ceremony. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BTHarner Posted January 7, 2014 Report Share Posted January 7, 2014 What's really inane is that it would not bastardize the primetime ratings. Most people will not take the day off from work just to watch this on their computer. They will be there for the TV broadcast though. Oh well I guess that's one personal day I can save for the World Cup instead. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barcelona_'92 Posted January 7, 2014 Report Share Posted January 7, 2014 Very disappointing, though I can't say I'm surprised given NBC's lack of promotion for live streaming compared to two years ago. I'm (somewhat seriously) waiting for the announcement that figure skating won't be streamed live either to ensure that everyone watches it on NBCSN. Unless it's an error, it appears that NBC will be airing a new show at 10:30pm Eastern on Friday, February 21st. Primetime is scheduled from 8-10:30pm that night. I have no idea why they would try to debut a new show on Friday at 10:30--that just seems like a recipe for disaster. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
breathesgelatin Posted January 8, 2014 Report Share Posted January 8, 2014 And your prediction is correct.. pretty much the exact same BS they gave us before London, that we Americans need "context" in order to view the Opening Ceremony. Ugh, and the 'context' is so embarrassing too. Listening to the NBC commentation on the OC makes me feel shame for my country. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quaker2001 Posted January 8, 2014 Report Share Posted January 8, 2014 Ugh, and the 'context' is so embarrassing too. Listening to the NBC commentation on the OC makes me feel shame for my country. It seems really contradictory when NBC brass talks about how online streaming drives more people to watch primetime, not less, and then tells us we shouldn't watch the Opening Ceremony live until they're ready to let us. Like I've said, I can accept most of NBC's decision making over the years because I get they have business interests and what makes their viewers happy isn't always the recipe for making money. But this is a bad business decision on their part. If they're seriously worried that an online broadcast is going to hurt primetime, maybe they need to take a closer look at their own research which should tell them that's not the case. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Durban Sandshark Posted January 8, 2014 Report Share Posted January 8, 2014 Guess what? Nancy Kerrigan joins NBC's Olympic figure skating coverage team. An analyst but not as a color commentator. Had to wonder with the abundant figure skating coverage on NBC Sports Network as part of its committment, will it actually bring forth Olympic Ice for her to appear in? Will appear in multiple platforms throughout NBC's Sochi coverage. Since we know Kerrigan is also involved in the NBC 20-year doc about her and Tanya presented by Mary Carillo during the Winter Olympics, I think she built enough relationships in the media with her Vancouver figure skating coverage for Entertainment Tonight, among other things, that she feels comfortable being with NBC. http://nbcsportsgrouppressbox.com/2014/01/07/two-time-olympic-figure-skating-medalist-nancy-kerrigan-to-join-nbc-olympics-in-sochi/ This article also explains why she was willing to participate in that said NBC documentary (along with NBC altering its Sochi promotions and coverage minus the now-sidelined Lindsay Vonn). http://www.broadcastingcable.com/blog/bc-beat/nbc-pivots-olympic-coverage-following-vonns-withdrawal/128338 Akamai's there to assist NBC and Yahoo in streaming delivery, site performance, and security for Sochi http://www.4-traders.com/AKAMAI-TECHNOLOGIES-INC-8303/news/Akamai-Technologies-Inc--NBC-Olympics-Production-of-the-2014-Olympic-Winter-Games-in-Sochi-to-Ut-17765464/ Bob Costas comes on NBC Today and infuriates (or demeans) the slopestyle crowd thinking it's something Johnny Knoxville would approve if he were IOC President. Comparing it to Jackass. It's there in the Olympic program and, look what you did Bob?, you gave the sport even more publicity leading up to Sochi. Can't change it now. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uOuvp685llQ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoNutz Posted January 8, 2014 Report Share Posted January 8, 2014 I don't know why you guys get so upset about the ceremonies. It's unpopular around here but I actually enjoy the commentary, it's kitschy and goofy, and reminds me of being a kid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMarkSnow2012 Posted January 8, 2014 Report Share Posted January 8, 2014 I don't know why you guys get so upset about the ceremonies. It's unpopular around here but I actually enjoy the commentary, it's kitschy and goofy, and reminds me of being a kid. But that's just it. There is often kitsch and goofiness in Olympic OCs, but there is also ethereal beauty (see Vancouver), epic majesty (see Beijing) and solemnity (see London). If commentators merely provide context, that's OK, but if they impose their own tone, they spoil the creative efforts of thousands of people. PS: I take it that GBers who don't live in the Land of the Free will be LiveChatting the Sochi OC. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BTHarner Posted January 8, 2014 Report Share Posted January 8, 2014 Just for the record. The Sochi 2014 website got a facelift......finally. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quaker2001 Posted January 8, 2014 Report Share Posted January 8, 2014 I don't know why you guys get so upset about the ceremonies. It's unpopular around here but I actually enjoy the commentary, it's kitschy and goofy, and reminds me of being a kid. NBC said they'd be streaming everything live. Everything should include the Opening Ceremony. As for the commentators, I can live with them imposing their own tone, so long as they're good at it. Matt Lauer and Meredith Vieira were not good at that from London. And my thing, which is why I'm intent on finding myself a VPN for that Friday.. I would love to watch the Ceremony in its raw and purest form and then I'll come back again to watch a 2nd time and get the commentary and background info and all that. Shame on NBC for telling me in a very condescending tone that I need their "context" in order to watch the Opening Ceremony. Gold Zone returns for Sochi with some enhancements from London. There will now be 2 hosts.. NBCOLYMPICS.COM TO OFFER ORIGINAL, DIGITAL-ONLY PROGRAMMING FOR SOCHI GAMES There's also going to be some other online-only offerings as well including the return of Olympic Ice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baron-pierreIV Posted January 8, 2014 Report Share Posted January 8, 2014 But that's just it. There is often kitsch and goofiness in Olympic OCs, but there is also ethereal beauty (see Vancouver), epic majesty (see Beijing) and solemnity (see London). If commentators merely provide context, that's OK, but if they impose their own tone, they spoil the creative efforts of thousands of people. PS: I take it that GBers who don't live in the Land of the Free will be LiveChatting the Sochi OC. learn to shut them out. Or just go with the carrier who's your same vibe. Not much complexity about that, is there?? Can't wait for the Russian ones who will glow all over 2014. Luckily, I don't speak or understand Ruski!! LOL!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barcelona_'92 Posted January 8, 2014 Report Share Posted January 8, 2014 I don't know why you guys get so upset about the ceremonies. It's unpopular around here but I actually enjoy the commentary, it's kitschy and goofy, and reminds me of being a kid. My problem with NBC's opening ceremony coverage isn't necessarily that it's not live, but that it's so heavily edited. I wouldn't mind the taped coverage if they actually showed the whole ceremony, but they usually chop out entire acts and performances. For example, in 2000, they cut Tina Arena's performance of "The Flame," even though they used the music for montages during the coverage! I never understood why they cut that performance. Even with commercial breaks, it's not that hard to show the entire ceremony. Bob Costas comes on NBC Today and infuriates (or demeans) the slopestyle crowd thinking it's something Johnny Knoxville would approve if he were IOC President. Comparing it to Jackass. It's there in the Olympic program and, look what you did Bob?, you gave the sport even more publicity leading up to Sochi. Can't change it now. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uOuvp685llQ Kudos to Bob for saying this. Slopestyle events belong in the X Games, not the Olympics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ofan Posted January 8, 2014 Report Share Posted January 8, 2014 Vieira and Lauer were ignorant boors in London, so it'll be interesting to see how they operate in Sochi. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
micheal_warren Posted January 9, 2014 Report Share Posted January 9, 2014 The website normally gets an update for games time about a month before the games. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BTHarner Posted January 9, 2014 Report Share Posted January 9, 2014 That's right but most change several times over the years and it didn't seem like they ever changed it, but a check of the internet archive did show several different ones, which I guess I never looked at. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
breathesgelatin Posted January 9, 2014 Report Share Posted January 9, 2014 But that's just it. There is often kitsch and goofiness in Olympic OCs, but there is also ethereal beauty (see Vancouver), epic majesty (see Beijing) and solemnity (see London). If commentators merely provide context, that's OK, but if they impose their own tone, they spoil the creative efforts of thousands of people. PS: I take it that GBers who don't live in the Land of the Free will be LiveChatting the Sochi OC. It's one thing to provide context. I don't even mind that much the idea of NBC having announcers commentate the OC. It's the EXECUTION that is so poor. The most galling part is the Parade of Nations, in which NBC announcers reveal their complete ignorance of other nations and cultures. Plus, they feel the need to emphasize over and over that so many of these small nations won't even have a chance of getting a medal. Which, fine, but a lot of times it seems like they're saying it to almost make fun of the athletes. The context they provide is so shallow and scratches the surface of what actually could be provided. It talks down to the viewer, and in the process, as someone else said, it reveals what provincial boors NBC employees are. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quaker2001 Posted January 9, 2014 Report Share Posted January 9, 2014 It's one thing to provide context. I don't even mind that much the idea of NBC having announcers commentate the OC. It's the EXECUTION that is so poor. The most galling part is the Parade of Nations, in which NBC announcers reveal their complete ignorance of other nations and cultures. Plus, they feel the need to emphasize over and over that so many of these small nations won't even have a chance of getting a medal. Which, fine, but a lot of times it seems like they're saying it to almost make fun of the athletes. The context they provide is so shallow and scratches the surface of what actually could be provided. It talks down to the viewer, and in the process, as someone else said, it reveals what provincial boors NBC employees are. The thing about that.. American television viewers, as a whole, are in fact a very ignorant bunch. That's what networks in the United States tend to play to the lowest common denominator, rather than somewhere like England or Canada. The thing with the Opening Ceremony in a country of 300 million+ people is that there's no right way to play it. If it's too serious, people will complain. If it's not serious enough, people will complain. It's next to impossible to find that perfect balance that satisfies both sides. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
breathesgelatin Posted January 9, 2014 Report Share Posted January 9, 2014 The thing about that.. American television viewers, as a whole, are in fact a very ignorant bunch. That's what networks in the United States tend to play to the lowest common denominator, rather than somewhere like England or Canada. The thing with the Opening Ceremony in a country of 300 million+ people is that there's no right way to play it. If it's too serious, people will complain. If it's not serious enough, people will complain. It's next to impossible to find that perfect balance that satisfies both sides. I hear you. I do believe there could be a way to do it that wouldn't be so shallow and pat, but still help give the American viewer some context. London was particularly bad... Lauer is not exactly the sharpest tool in the shed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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