NBC opening ceremony rating predictions

It’s been four years.

That’s the rub.

Nowadays network executives bristle if you compare their program ratings to one year ago, let alone four. So what chance does the Olympics opening ceremony have to besting the viewership from the Summer Games opening ceremony from 2004? With all these cable networks, the Internet and DVRs keeping us like hyper, attention-deficit squirrels on Red Bull, button-mashing TV remotes and laptop keyboards...

A survey of broadcast network insiders predict about a 13.0 HH rating for tonight’s ceremony. That’s down 11% from four years ago. Some say even that is generous. NBC delayed broadcasting the ceremony by 12 hours so it will fit snugly in primetime (the unspoken rule: never ask Americans to stop working on a weekday before 6 p.m. -- we act like Jack Nicholson being interrupted at his typewriter in "The Shining"). Delay a broadcast in 2000 and it hardly impacted business. But in 2008, when viewers can watch live streams of the ceremony online from networks in other countries … it’s a gamble.

But then … this is in 2008's China, not 2004's Athens. Way more interesting. And in this case, the delay might actually help NBC. It’s allowed time for gushing reviews and luscious images of the event to saturate the media. Suddenly, an overblown parade of athletes in shiny tracksuits is starting to sound like the summer-hype broadcast equivalent of “The Dark Knight.”

In other words: nobody really knows.

So: If the opening ceremony manages a 13 HH, it’s a solid debut. If it matches Athens, it’s a victory. If it beats Athens, it’s a big headline. If it does below 13 … well, then NBC's all-American bummer continues.

Comments

[Joe]

NBC faces major US lawsuit by (American) public for blacking out olympics during live opening.

I think this is what headlines should read accross america on every major news stand. If they want to capture the audience well I guess we could help them do that.

After all, the olympics are about triumph and determanation, for us it's about being american. Then to have NBC block a live feed like we are all 5 yrs old.

Like north Korea ?

Are we realy free...?

[Matthew Morycinski]

For us who refuse to pay $$$ monthly for the doubtful pleasure of viewing and reviewing endlessly recycled shows, this is the TV industry's payback time. The Olympic Opening Ceremony is not only a commercial TV production, but also a globally significant event. We have the right to see that event broadcast on the internet without any artificially imposed limitations. Commercialism forces us to view amateur footage as seen by bystanders.

[Ralph]

I missed the opening ceremony. Does anyone know where
where I can see it online? Better yet I would like to see the Chinese government sell a video of the event and use the proceeds to fund their olympic athletes program. I for one would love to have that video.

[Boy Van Cott]

NBC - Nothing but Commercials. I refuse to watch on there time. I'll wait until the video comes out.

[kevin]

what the hell they are talking about green games. Ican see from my television the amount of fog surround the place