A cross-country skier from Finland had a chilling realization in his run at the Winter Olympics in Beijing this past weekend.
20.02.2022 - 06:19 / abcnews.go.com
NEW YORK -- There were many reasons to think NBC made a savvy business deal in 2014 when it locked up the American media rights to the Olympics through 2032 for $7.75 billion.As the Beijing winter games come to a close, it's harder to see them now.These Olympics were a disaster for the network: a buzz-free, hermetically-sealed event in an authoritarian country a half-day's time zone away, where the enduring images will be the emotional meltdown of Russian teen-agers after a drug-tainted figure skating competition and a bereft Mikaela Shiffrin, sitting on a ski slope wondering what went wrong.Many American athletes underperformed, and arguably the most successful — freestyle skier Eileen Gu — competed for China.Viewers stayed away in alarming numbers, and NBC has to wonder whether it was extraordinarily bad luck or if the brand of a once-unifying event for tens of millions of people is permanently tainted.“Given the investment, they've got to be disappointed right now,” said Andrew Billings, director of the sports communications program at the University of Alabama.Network executives say there are no plans to try and adjust or escape from its rights deal. Several experts say that would be unlikely, given how live sports are increasing in value and represent one of the few ways advertisers can gather large audiences to sell automobiles or beer.
NBC Olympics President Gary Zenkel talks optimistically about future games in Paris, Italy and Los Angeles.Beijing, like Tokyo last year, took place in an environment where the primary objective was to prevent the spread of COVID-19. That meant no fans or athletes' families in the stands, no quirky stories about the host country and even few announcers: most of NBC's team worked
.A cross-country skier from Finland had a chilling realization in his run at the Winter Olympics in Beijing this past weekend.
EXCLUSIVE: NBC has revealed the hosts for its coverage of Sunday’s Closing Ceremony of the Beijing Olympics — and two of them have been in the news this week.
The 2022 Winter Olympics, now three Thursdays into competition, are back where they started ratings-wise.
Simone Biles has shared her support for Winter Olympics star Mikaela Shiffrin after she posted a heartbreaking message to fans.MORE: Simone Biles is engaged! See the heartwarming proposal and stunning ringMikaela took to social media to share a powerful message about the online hate and trolling she has received as she struggled through the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. Mikeala was one of Team USA's big hopefuls but she failed to finish the women's combined event, and lost control during the opening few seconds of her run in the giant slalom; Mikeala was defending her 2018 gold medal.WATCH: Simone Biles falls off mat during Tokyo 2020 qualifying roundsShe fell and skied out, ending her 30-race streak, and ended up being disqualified from the event."I know this all too well.
Team GB has been stripped of its silver medal from the 2020 Tokyo Olympics after a sprinter was found to have violated anti-doping rules.
American track and field star Sha’Carri Richardson is RIGHTFULLY calling out what appears to be a major double standard at this year’s Winter Olympics. And we’re here for her take!
Sha’Carri Richardson, the American track and field star who was banned from the Tokyo Olympics last year for marijuana use, has an issue with Russian Olympic Committee figure skater Kamila Valieva‘s participation in the Beijing Olympics. 15-year-old Kamila tested positive for a banned substance in the midst of the 2022 Winter Olympics, but on Feb. 14, she was granted approval to continue competing by the Court of Arbitration for Sports. The CAS said Kimila’s age is the main reason they decided to lift the ban on the teenager, according to Sport’s Illustrated.
a heartfelt message live on NBC. He thanked his American compatriots and called snowboarding the love of his life. (No, I’m not crying, you’re crying.
Focusing on the positive. After a difficult start at the 2022 Winter Olympics, Mikaela Shiffrin offered a glimpse at how she approached her remaining time at the international sports competition.
A legendary career. Shaun White reflected on his snowboarding achievements after his final Olympic Games ended without a medal.
Fresh off the gold medal wins for Nathan Chen and Chloe Kim, NBC’s coverage of 2022 Winter Olympics ventured to new heights with Thursday earning the highest demo of the games so far.
Hoda Kotb took to social media to reveal an incredible bit of news that had fans feeling as elated as she was.MORE: Jennifer Lopez teases Hoda Kotb about Joel Schiffman split live on Today showThe Today Show star shared a picture on Instagram featuring the two athletes who had brought the United States gold at that point at the 2022 Winter Olympics.WATCH: Hoda Kotb and Savannah Guthrie share how to watch the Winter Olympics GamesThe post highlighted Nathan Chen and Chloe Kim in competition, and Hoda happily wrote: "Good morning GOLD!!! Congrats @nathanwchen @chloekim."One fan excitedly commented: "Thank you Nathan and Chloe for an amazing job - it was so exciting and enjoyable watching you- your hard work and dedication certainly paid off!!"MORE: Hoda Kotb makes rare revelation about home life with daughters Haley and HopeAnother wrote: "Way to go guys!!!! So proud of you," with many others sharing congratulatory messages as well and sharing love for Hoda.While Hoda is currently dealing with the ramifications of her split from longtime fiancé Joel Schiffman, she has maintained that the two are still quite amicable.A post shared by Hoda Kotb (@hodakotb)Hoda celebrated the athletes that won gold for USA at the Winter OlympicsShe has been keeping herself busy by throwing herself into coverage for the 2022 Winter Olympics, which are being held in Beijing.While Hoda did attract a huge amount of fan love for her warm and enthusiastic coverage of the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, this year the pandemic and ongoing fears of a resurgence have forced NBC to alter plans. MORE: Inside Hoda Kotb's stylish home where she will co-parent her kids with ex Joel SchiffmanMORE: Hoda Kotb announces split from fiancé Joel Schiffman live on
Go Team USA! Nina Dobrev cheered on Shaun White, while he competed in the 2022 Winter Olympics for snowboarding on Wednesday February 9. The 33-year-old actress posted tons of videos of her TV screen while her boyfriend, 35, shredding up the slopes to try to win yet another gold medal for the United States in Beijing. Nina topped it all off with a sweet photo with her boyfriend on screen to show that even miles apart, she’s rooting for him.
In an unfortunate turn of events, Vincent Zhou will not be able to compete in the Men’s ice skating events at the 2022 Winter Olympics.
kicked off their opening day, tweeting her thoughts about the city’s alleged human rights violations.“There is no reason to watch a Winter Olympics that is holding up and spreading propaganda for a regime that is committing actual genocide and ethnic cleansing,” she claimed. “On top of poisoning the world and killing 6 million people.
With the first full day of games tucked away, NBC posted some early numbers from the Beijing Winter Olympics and the glass seems to be half full.