August 15, 2008

Olympics More Popular

Marc Comtois

Hm. Some are crediting NBC's Olympic ratings success to the individual pursuits of swimmer Michael Phelps. There's ratings data to back it up:

For Phelps' first gold medal - in the 400-meter individual medley - last Saturday night, NBC drew 24.4 million viewers; for his second gold, on Sunday, 33 million; Monday, 30.2 million; and Tuesday, when Phelps won two gold medals, 34 million. On Wednesday, Phelps rested and ratings dipped to 27.7 million.
But I wonder if, just maybe, it has more to do with China. While I suspect U.S. audiences are interested in learning more about this relatively closed society--and NBC is giving us the puff pieces to scratch that itch--there is a developing theme coming out of these Olympics: the Chinese are attempting a massive PR campaign and they are willing to do anything to win the "medal count".

Exhibit "A" is the continuing controversy over the age of the Chinese gymnasts while the International Olympic Committee looks the other way. To American audiences, it appears as if a conspiracy is afoot. And there's nothing like a little good guy/bad guy to stoke the nationalistic flames of competition. In fact, isn't that the ultimate irony of the whole Olympic "experience"?

The theory is to have peaceful competition, sing "We are the World" and, well, win some medals. In actuality, the games tend to stoke pre-existing national rivalries--or create new ones. It looks to my eye like this Olympiad has finally put the long simmering US/China front and center for the American people. Even if Russia is trying its best to remind us all of the Cold War Olympic era by starting a war during this year's games.

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Nah, it's Phelps. The China stuff is interesting but if this was the Paris or Tokyo Olympics there would have been just as much excitement over his accomplishments. As far as Phelps, I like him and admire him but I can't help being a little bit conscious of the fact that Olympic swimming, because of the different strokes, distances and relay team events offers a whole lot of medal opportunities. The same points were made about Spitz 36 years ago when he won 7 golds at Munich. Anyway, a real swim race takes place Wednesday and Thursday 9:00 PM our time. The 10 K marathon an open water swim of 6.2 miles. Should be fun to watch, that is if if NBC covers it.

Posted by: observer at August 18, 2008 7:27 PM

Evidently, it's 9:00 AM our time, not PM, broadcast on USA network.

Posted by: observer at August 20, 2008 7:42 AM
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