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Post by zima on Feb 7, 2022 22:59:03 GMT
"NBC Sports says 16 million viewers tuned in to watch the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony across multiple platforms on Friday, a new record-low for the event since NBCUniversal began broadcasting the Olympics in 1988. The total audience delivery (TAD) of 16 million viewers, which is a very impressive number compared to everything else on linear TV that isn’t the NFL, is down 43% compared to the 28.3 million viewers that watched the PyeongChang Winter Olympics opening ceremony in February 2018. The drop isn’t unexpected, as Olympics viewership in general has continued to fall — but it is a significant decline even accounting for that trend. The 2022 Beijing Olympics are kicking off just six months after the close of the Tokyo Summer Olympic Games, which were postponed from 2020 because of the pandemic. The Winter Games also overlap with the Super Bowl, which airs on NBC on Feb. 13. Throughout the Beijing Olympics, NBCU will face the challenge of attracting eyeballs to an event taking place amid a U.S. diplomatic boycott of the host country over human-rights violations, in a time when live TV viewership is already waning (again, except for the NFL). The primetime TV audience average for the Tokyo games fell more than 40% compared with the 2016 Rio Olympics. Though comparing the usually more popular Summer Olympics to the Winter Olympics is less fair than Summer to Summer and Winter to Winter, for reference, NBC’s broadcast of the Tokyo Olympic Games Opening Ceremony drew 17 million viewers last July, which at the time was the smallest U.S. television audience for the event in 33 years. The Beijing Opening Ceremony has hit a new record-low in viewership"
Why do you think it's so low?
China political issues?
Too close to recent Summer Games?
Too many options for other content?
Other?
It's likely not a timezone issue as the S. Korea games were around the same timezone (+1 hr to Beijing).
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Jun 2, 2024 4:14:41 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Feb 7, 2022 23:06:56 GMT
I haven't watched the Olympics in yyeearrss!!! The last time I watched was when the magnificent 7 were going for team gold in 1996.
I have never watched the Winter Olympics. Not my thing.
Honestly, I am just over it all with the Olympics and money.
The Olympics aren't what they once were. Too many pro athletes.
How can you be okay with much money is spent by the host city.
Or okay with how much of that space is wasted after a few weeks of pomp and circumstance.
Too much waste.
And then the partying and all that by athletes. Why?!
Eh, just not my thing.
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RosieKat
Drama Llama
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Post by RosieKat on Feb 7, 2022 23:08:16 GMT
I have noticed that even more so than normal, it's 95% feelgood stories, ads, or ads onscreen with a smaller box showing events. They are always ad-heavy, but this year seems extra bad.
I didn't catch much of the opening ceremony, but what I did see seemed pretty blah. The lack of spectators in person feels weird even on TV.
ETA - the time difference means even more that they should be showing more of the actual competition!
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caangel
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Location: So Cal
Member is Online
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Post by caangel on Feb 7, 2022 23:08:55 GMT
My DH had no idea the Winter Olympics were happening when I asked him to put it on. We only have streaming and hadn't seen any commercials. We get it through Hulu Live but the experience was poor due to lots of buffering (doesn't happen with other streamed content).
Not sure what would be the best solution to advertise and attract viewers like us but we only watched a little bit and not any other events so far. When we had cable TV we would put it on to watch in the evenings during prime time. It is not even on our radar this year.
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Post by myshelly on Feb 7, 2022 23:11:58 GMT
I don’t really get the Olympics.
It seems immensely and inexcusably wasteful. All that money, space, time, materials to build these huge structures in cities that will never use them again - how can we possibly justify that? It makes me feel mad and upset, not entertained.
And then all these people who train on one hyper focused, unuseful skill, for no purpose other than winning a medal…I just don’t get it. It’s not like they’re putting time and effort into something that helps the human race.
It’s all just gross to me.
Add in the fact that it’s in China, a country literally committing genocide at this very moment, and no, I don’t want to watch or in any way support any of it.
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lindas
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,168
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Post by lindas on Feb 7, 2022 23:12:33 GMT
I love the winter games. I can’t remember the last time I didn’t watch most, if not all but not this time. I’m having my own mini protest of China.
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Post by Megan on Feb 7, 2022 23:32:26 GMT
I don’t really get the Olympics. It seems immensely and inexcusably wasteful. All that money, space, time, materials to build these huge structures in cities that will never use them again - how can we possibly justify that? It makes me feel mad and upset, not entertained. And then all these people who train on one hyper focused, unuseful skill, for no purpose other than winning a medal…I just don’t get it. It’s not like they’re putting time and effort into something that helps the human race. It’s all just gross to me. Add in the fact that it’s in China, a country literally committing genocide at this very moment, and no, I don’t want to watch or in any way support any of it. I'm actually surprised so many peas are watching this Olympics. It seems each Olympics that goes on just gets more and more out of control spending wise - even if it wasn't China. The isolation while in quarantine is absolutely horrible. (Mupltipe news reports) I can't imagine going to a foreign country and being told to not take a personal cell phone because of security concerns (per FBI). |
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Post by Merge on Feb 7, 2022 23:34:20 GMT
I’m in the “this is all a huge waste of money” camp.
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peabay
Prolific Pea
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Jun 25, 2014 19:50:41 GMT
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Post by peabay on Feb 7, 2022 23:36:09 GMT
I'm usually someone who is at least somewhat interested but not this time - there's not someone specific to follow that I'm interested in; the time difference sucks (I'd much rather watch things live); I'm just not feeling it. Not sure why. I'm sure I'm one of the people who would've watched at least the opening ceremonies in the past and I just didn't care this time.
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Post by gar on Feb 7, 2022 23:37:19 GMT
I think it’s sad but the cachet attached to the Olympics has dissipated so much in recent years for so many reasons. I feel sad for athletes that the experience has been devalued somewhat.
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Post by gar on Feb 7, 2022 23:38:01 GMT
I'm usually someone who is at least somewhat interested but not this time - there's not someone specific to follow that I'm interested in; the time difference sucks (I'd much rather watch things live); I'm just not feeling it. Not sure why. I'm sure I'm one of the people who would've watched at least the opening ceremonies in the past and I just didn't care this time. That’s exactly how I feel too. |
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Post by ntsf on Feb 7, 2022 23:44:56 GMT
I don't see the participants "partying.".. mostly they work too hard to get there..
I love to watch olympic alpine skiers.. but I have watched this all my life and I come from a family of serious skiers--we know people who have competed. I also don't think it is a waste of time to have a passion for a sport. there is a lot of joy there.. hard work too. I dislike having it in china. in some places, the venues are abandoned. some places like lake placid and palisades tahoe, the venues are used.
my dad knew Gretchen Fraser-- who, along with Dick Button, won the first winter golds for the USA. there was not a women's international race scene.. it was the olympics or nothing.
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Post by summer on Feb 7, 2022 23:45:21 GMT
I don’t like sports and I don’t like winter so winter sports don’t interest me. I’ll watch a little of the Olympic competitions if a someone happens to turn it on while I am in the room with them but it is nothing I would seek out to watch myself.
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Post by katlady on Feb 7, 2022 23:47:43 GMT
I haven't been watching because I am just not interested this year. I haven't been following any athletes, so I don't even know who is competing. I don't even know who the figure skaters are this time around. I guess if there is one I would watch it would be Shawn White, the local boy snowboarder. But I do think the conditions for the athletes in China are terrible. And then all these people who train on one hyper focused, unuseful skill, for no purpose other than winning a medal…I just don’t get it. It’s not like they’re putting time and effort into something that helps the human race. I love sports and I love to see what the human body can do. You go to NASCAR races. What is the purpose of all the men driving around an oval track for 3 hours, using up valuable gas? It is all about what one loves to do. One of my favorite quotes is by Garrison Keillor "Cats are intended to teach us that not everything in nature has a function." |
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Post by sean&marysmommy on Feb 7, 2022 23:49:21 GMT
The only time I'm interested in watching something sporty is when I can be there at a live game. And even then, I think I'm more delighted with the idea of drinks and hot dogs being delivered right to my seat, vs. watching the actual game.  |
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Post by iamkristinl16 on Feb 7, 2022 23:54:59 GMT
I generally like watching the winter sports more than the summer sports. Dish cut our local NBC station until Friday so I haven't been hearing the hype or stories on the Today show that get me interested or remind me what is on that day. I also don't really like that it is in China. I do feel bad for the athletes that have worked so hard. It takes a lot of work, dedication and sacrifice to get there and I respect that.
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Post by iamkristinl16 on Feb 7, 2022 23:57:32 GMT
I also want to say that before our NBC station was back, I tried to watch some of the opening ceremony live on Peacock and the NBC app and neither of them work. It has been my experience that throughout the months without NBC the apps have been really inconsistent as to whether they work properly or not. So, I have to wonder if that is also part of it.
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Post by lisacharlotte on Feb 8, 2022 0:01:06 GMT
We typically watch Olympics. We’re also having our own little boycott in our house. I miss the skating.
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Gennifer
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Post by Gennifer on Feb 8, 2022 0:04:59 GMT
I don’t think I have ever watched the Olympics. (Then again, we are a household where no one watches any kind of sporting event, so…)
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sweetpeasmom
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,594
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Post by sweetpeasmom on Feb 8, 2022 0:09:26 GMT
I like watching both summer and winter Olympics. I look forward to it. But I don't think we (anyone really) should be in China right now competing. So we aren't watching.
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Post by myshelly on Feb 8, 2022 0:13:38 GMT
I haven't been watching because I am just not interested this year. I haven't been following any athletes, so I don't even know who is competing. I don't even know who the figure skaters are this time around. I guess if there is one I would watch it would be Shawn White, the local boy snowboarder. But I do think the conditions for the athletes in China are terrible. And then all these people who train on one hyper focused, unuseful skill, for no purpose other than winning a medal…I just don’t get it. It’s not like they’re putting time and effort into something that helps the human race. I love sports and I love to see what the human body can do. You go to NASCAR races. What is the purpose of all the men driving around an oval track for 3 hours, using up valuable gas? It is all about what one loves to do. One of my favorite quotes is by Garrison Keillor "Cats are intended to teach us that not everything in nature has a function." My husband and kids love nascar. I went once. It wasn’t for me. I think it, and all other professional athletics, are pointless and ridiculous. But the Olympics is the most pointless and ridiculous because of the amount of money the host cities waste. At least with football stadiums and nascar tracks, the infrastructure gets used more than once. |
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Post by lisacharlotte on Feb 8, 2022 0:14:12 GMT
We typically watch Olympics. We’re also having our own little boycott in our house. I miss the skating.
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Post by hop2 on Feb 8, 2022 0:14:42 GMT
Because I can’t get it.
Many people are streaming now and I’m not paying for peacock just for the Olympics. My niece tried to out her cable provider in when she was here Saturday and it wouldn’t accept it. 🤷♀️ Like I said, I’m not going to pay for it.
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Post by busy on Feb 8, 2022 0:20:57 GMT
I love the Olympics unabashedly for the pure competition and sport of it. I love the determination and dedication of the athletes. (NB: I hate the corrupt IOC.) Yeah, it's a big waste of money but there are plenty of giant wastes of money that don't spark dreams and joy and life goals for anyone. I like the theoretical spirit of unity that goes along with it, too.
I used to watch the Olympics religiously. But frankly, it's harder to enjoy each time because everything is spoiled by the internet before it happens and I don't find a lot of joy in watching sports when I already know the outcome. It's become so much work to try to avoid spoilers that I've given up, and as a result, I hardly watch anything.
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Post by epeanymous on Feb 8, 2022 0:21:48 GMT
I have always enjoyed watching the Olympics. I am sure there is some easy way to figure out what they are showing when and I could probably avoid spoilers if I dedicated myself to it, but with the time difference and the fact that it is hard to avoid spoilers, it is not as much fun for me now as it was years ago.
Don’t get me wrong—I am still watching some. But I remember dragging friends to a bar to watch figure skating when we were on a road trip in college and no one else was that interested, and I do not have that level of investment now.
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Post by katlady on Feb 8, 2022 0:23:51 GMT
At least with football stadiums and nascar tracks, the infrastructure gets used more than once. Kind of weird, but this weekend there will be a NASCAR race at the LA Coliseum, a site that has been used in 2 prior Olympics and will probably be used in the 2028 Olympics. Hard to picture a car race in a football/track and field stadium. But I agree that stadiums need to be used more than once. I do like that LA used a lot of existing sites for the 1984 Olympics, and there are many Olympic built stadiums around the world still being used. |
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Post by myshelly on Feb 8, 2022 0:26:13 GMT
At least with football stadiums and nascar tracks, the infrastructure gets used more than once. Kind of weird, but this weekend there will be a NASCAR race at the LA Coliseum, a site that has been used in 2 prior Olympics and will probably be used in the 2028 Olympics. Hard to picture a car race in a football/track and field stadium. But I agree that stadiums need to be used more than once. I do like that LA used a lot of existing sites for the 1984 Olympics, and there are many Olympic built stadiums around the world still being used. That was this past weekend. It was terrible because the track was too tiny. |
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Post by katlady on Feb 8, 2022 0:27:03 GMT
I love the Olympics unabashedly for the pure competition and sport of it. I love the determination and dedicate of the athletes. (NB: I hate the corrupt IOC.) Yeah, it's a big waste of money but there are plenty of giant wastes of money that don't spark dreams and joy and life goals for anyone. I like the theoretical spirit of unity that goes along with it, too. I used to watch the Olympics religiously. But frankly, it's harder to enjoy each time because everything is spoiled by the internet before it happens and I don't find a lot of joy in watching sports when I already know the outcome. It's become so much work to try to avoid spoilers that I've given up, and as a result, I hardly watch anything. In some ways, I like the old days when the Olympics were shown only in prime-time and you didn't know the outcome beforehand. You knew when they were on and you didn't have to find a schedule for when and what channel to watch. Of course the downside was you couldn't see some of the less popular sports. |
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Just T
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,548
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Post by Just T on Feb 8, 2022 0:27:34 GMT
I have always enjoyed certain sports in the Olympics. Figure Skating, skiing, bobsled in the winter and gymnastics and diving in the summer are my favorites.
I soured on them a little bit after the winter Olympics that I think were held in Sochi. I know it was Russia. I saw a special after they were over where they talked about all these little villages where the people who lived had no transportation and how building all the venues for the Olympics cut off their main roads they walked to get to work, and how doing so literally made them have to walk hours to go around the roads that were closed off.
I also am disgusted by the countries that are given the Olympics. Countries like China and Russia, who it is known partake in horrible human rights violations should not be rewarded with the Olympics. I think it is gross, honestly.
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Post by Bridget in MD on Feb 8, 2022 0:49:29 GMT
I haven't been watching because I am just not interested this year. I haven't been following any athletes, so I don't even know who is competing. I don't even know who the figure skaters are this time around. I guess if there is one I would watch it would be Shawn White, the local boy snowboarder. But I do think the conditions for the athletes in China are terrible. I love sports and I love to see what the human body can do. You go to NASCAR races. What is the purpose of all the men driving around an oval track for 3 hours, using up valuable gas? It is all about what one loves to do. One of my favorite quotes is by Garrison Keillor "Cats are intended to teach us that not everything in nature has a function." My husband and kids love nascar. I went once. It wasn’t for me. I think it, and all other professional athletics, are pointless and ridiculous. But the Olympics is the most pointless and ridiculous because of the amount of money the host cities waste.
At least with football stadiums and nascar tracks, the infrastructure gets used more than once.My friend was saying today she wished there was a neutral space that held the games - there could still be a "host country" that got all the revenue, and made the games their own flavor, but instead of all the building and upkeep and waste, it was just in one location. |
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