Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
NBC: Olympics viewership OK, despite gripes
So, how is NBC doing with its Olympics coverage?
Not bad, thank you, the network reports. Despite grumbling from fans that NBC butchered the opening ceremonies and the continued grousing that delaying showcase events to prime time is a disservice, and complaints about the incessant, banal commentary, NBC says viewers are showing up nicely.
For example, an average of almost 35 million tuned in for the first four nights — the most for any Summer Olympics in history, the network claims.
NBC has gone so far as to say it might just break even for the entire event. Not bad since the network had predicted a $200 million loss.
NBC Universal forked over a mind-boggling $1.18 billion for exclusive TV rights in America and is airing the games on NBC, MSNBC, Telemundo, the NBC Sports Network and on the Internet to the tune of $100 million in production costs.
Still, there’s no way to please everyone and complaints began with the opening ceremonies.
Trying to edit the broadcast to suit the American audience, NBC cut in at one point for a Ryan Seacrest interview with swimmer Michael Phelps.
Unseen by Americans during that time was a segment that was a musical memorial to victims of the July 7, 2005, London Underground terror attacks. To be fair, NBC had not been informed the hymn was a memorial.
One disgruntled critic observed that NBC views the Olympics not as international sport, but an American reality show.
Further evidence of that, one Arkansan called to complain that NBC also opted not to broadcast the stirring Olympic Oath where one athlete, on behalf of all the athletes, pledges to abide by the rules and compete with sportsmanship “for the glory of sport and the honor of our teams.”
British tae kwon do star Sarah Stevenson took the oath on behalf of the almost 10,500 athletes at the games. I’m told NBC was off doing something else at the time.
I’ll have to take her word for it that NBC skipped the moment. I only caught the last half hour of the ceremonies. That means I missed the tribute to the Industrial Revolution, the sheep and goats and the parade of the
hospital beds.
Was it suicide? Cable’s Bio Channel has a new original series titled The Unexplained that “explores strange real life cases and individuals who turn to the supernatural world for help when all traditional methods have failed to provide a resolution.”
Bio says, “In each personal story, the individual consults with a mystical expert in hopes of finding an explanation or remedy that may only lie beyond the physical world.”
Scheduled for 9 p.m. Saturday is The Unexplained: A Soldier’s Homecoming dealing with the case of Ryan Hill of Hensley, an Iraq War veteran who died in 2006 at the age of 24.
Authorities ruled Hill’s death a suicide, but his mother, Sabrina Threet, refuses to believe that it was.
In the Bio program, Threet seeks guidance from author and psychologist Dr. Raymond Moody, “visiting his psychomanteum where people go to contact their deceased loved ones while looking into a reflective mirror.”
Threet then consults psychic detective Pam Coronado who offers insight on what may have happened the night her son died and advice on how to proceed.”
“The show is all about Ryan’s case,” Threet said. “His death was ruled a suicide; however, all the facts suggest another means of death. It is a shame that I have to go national with my son’s story to try and get anything done.”
The Unexplained: A Soldier’s Homecoming repeats at 10 p.m. Saturday and at 1 and 2 a.m. Sunday.
Say what? Are you young, single and freshly pregnant? Here’s a news release that came across my desk last week.
“Doron Ofir Casting and a major cable network officially announce the nationwide search for single and newly pregnant women with big personalities to share their stories for a brand new love and relationship docu-series.
“[We are] looking for pregnant single women who are embracing their independence, redefining social norms and proving that having a baby is so much more than a woman’s duty and showing by example that it’s a choice.
“If you’re single, pregnant and at least 24 years of age and want to share your story, apply online. If selected, Your story could be worth $8,000.”
I couldn’t make this stuff up. I wonder how many will now go out and get pregnant just to have a shot at the money and 15 minutes of fame on TV. The TV Column appears Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday. E-mail: