Which Network will get the Olympics?

[YankeeFan]

Presentations today in Switzerland. Who gets them?

I saw one person suggest FOX would use it to increase distribution and fees for its FUEL cable channel. Based on how they used the NFL to build their broadcast network, that makes sense.

NBC could do the same with VS (or whatever they're going to call it).

I'd say FOX has the most to gain for reasons like this:

Besides prime-time shows that usually out-rate NFL prime-time action, an Olympics can create at least temporary ratings boosts to a network's cable channels. That means more eyes for advertisers.

For example, MSNBC more than tripled its daytime rating when NBC, in widely expanding Winter Olympic cable TV coverage in 2002, replaced MSNBC's news shows with curling.

And having the Olympics can create a sort of halo effect for its non-Olympic programming by giving rating pops to its morning and evening news shows and late-night comedy.

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/olympics/2011-06-05-television-broadcast-bidding_N.htm

(Though FOX doesn't currently have a network morning show or late night program. I suppose they could use an Olympic platform to try to launch such programs -- again in the case of late night.)

The best news is that both ESPN & FOX promise more live coverage:

And ESPN and Fox are promising something that NBC, under Ebersol, never would: each would carry everything live, across all their media platforms. Ebersol built toward prime time with the most popular sports, even if it meant lengthy tape delays.

When NBC began to stream events online three years ago in Beijing, some were not available live. In Vancouver, only two sports were streamed live.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/06/sports/olympics/lowering-the-bar-in-olympic-bidding.html?_r=1

 

[Mizzougrad96]

I'd laugh if nobody bid on them.

Don't they lose money most of the time?

 

[YankeeFan]

I'd laugh if nobody bid on them.

Don't they lose money most of the time?

On the right fee vs. ad revenue, they lost a ton for NBC.

But, can you use them to build audience across your networks so that you have higher ad rates & cable fees long term?

GE also had a very good hospitality program. Executives & sales people got to spend quality time with decision makers in various industries that GE has an interest.

They also grew their business in China.

It's all about what you do with it.

Like the FOX/NFL example. FOX technically lost money on their first contract, but they built their network off of it.

They ended up with better affiliates (that they took away from other networks) and they grew their audience for the entire network. It also just plain legitimized them.

 

[Mizzougrad96]

This isn't the NFL though. What Fox did with its first NFL contract was brilliant. They may have technically lost money, but it was definitely worth it.

I think if the other networks continued with new programming against the Olympics (it'll never happen I know...) I don't think the Olympics in prime time would lose as many nights as it would win. I think the numbers are a bit skewered because the other networks just run reruns almost the entire time.

I don't think the Winter Olympics would beat American Idol or DWTS.

 

[MileHigh]

It'd be nice if ESPN wins it just for the fact events will be shown live and if you don't want to watch live, then tune in during prime time on ABC.

But I think NBC retains them despite the absence of Ebersol.

 

[Boom_70]

I'd laugh if nobody bid on them.

Don't they lose money most of the time?

Me too. The U.S networks should ask for same deal that Canadian Broadcasting gets. NBC pays 2 billion while Canada pays 150 Mil.

 

[Mizzougrad96]

I think they would do a lot better if they started them in July like they did in 1984 and 1996 rather than have them go so late into August like they did the last few times.

 

[wicked]

GE also had a very good hospitality program. Executives & sales people got to spend quality time with decision makers in various industries that GE has an interest.

They also grew their business in China.

This is why the Olympics have an obscene value for GE and, maybe, Disney. And now that GE only owns 49 percent of the network, that almost means Disney by default.

 

[YankeeFan]

GE also had a very good hospitality program. Executives & sales people got to spend quality time with decision makers in various industries that GE has an interest.

They also grew their business in China.

This is why the Olympics have an obscene value for GE and, maybe, Disney. And now that GE only owns 49 percent of the network, that almost means Disney by default.

News Corp is a global business as well.

 

[nmmetsfan]

I vote for TBS, but only if they preempt everything by Tyler Perry.

 

[Boomer7]

I'd laugh if nobody bid on them.

Don't they lose money most of the time?

No. They lost money the LAST time. Before overpaying for the Vancouver and London rights, the Olympics were quite profitable for NBC.

http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/2010/01/20100118/This-Weeks-News/NBC-Readjusts-Games-Sales-Goals.aspx

 

[robertobajo]

Hoping it's ESPN. All will lose money, but ESPN will lose the least--and will do the best job--due to dual revenue and cable households.

If not, I vote for NBC and hope that Fox does not get it.

It'd be nice if ESPN wins it just for the fact events will be shown live and if you don't want to watch live, then tune in during prime time on ABC.

But I think NBC retains them despite the absence of Ebersol.

 

[wicked]

News Corp is a global business as well.

But News Corp. is not as diverse as GE or Disney (theme parks, merchandising,movies, cartoons, etc.). For a company like GE that makes a lot of money through defense and manufacturing, the Olympics were a no-brainer.

 

[crimsonace]

The big question: Will ABC/ESPN use ABC at all, or will they throw everything on cable like they basically have with all of their other non-NBA sports properties (including the BCS ... that no major bowl games are on broadcast TV is beyond ridiculous).

If there's no OTA network TV presence, then the IOC should choose someone else.

 

[MileHigh]

The big question: Will ABC/ESPN use ABC at all, or will they throw everything on cable like they basically have with all of their other non-NBA sports properties (including the BCS ... that no major bowl games are on broadcast TV is beyond ridiculous).

If there's no OTA network TV presence, then the IOC should choose someone else.

I've read ABC would be used as a replay/packaged content home for prime time.

 

[Mark2010]

I think they would do a lot better if they started them in July like they did in 1984 and 1996 rather than have them go so late into August like they did the last few times.

The London Games in 2012 start July 27 and run through mid August. A nice time frame for US audiences, although in a global competition like this they have to move things around at times.

 

[MileHigh]

Rio will be closer to Beijing: Aug. 5 to 21.

 

[Mark2010]

Rio's in the Southern Hemisphere. Suprised it's not in September.

 

[CarltonBanks]

I would like to see Oprah's network get the Olympics. That would be stellar.

 

[Boom_70]

I would like to see Oprah's network get the Olympics. That would be stellar.

Maybe Al Gore will bid on it and make KO the anchor.