Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 6/24/83; site unc.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!mhuxl!houxm!houxz!vax135!cornell!uw-beaver!tektronix!hplabs!zehntel!dual!amd!decwrl!decvax!mcnc!unc!howes From: howes@unc.UUCP (Byron Howes ) Newsgroups: net.rec,net.misc Subject: Re: Gripes about Olympic Coverage Message-ID: <7508@unc.UUCP> Date: Tue, 7-Aug-84 14:58:34 EDT Article-I.D.: unc.7508 Posted: Tue Aug 7 14:58:34 1984 Date-Received: Fri, 10-Aug-84 02:35:07 EDT References: <701@ihuxk.UUCP> Organization: University of North Carolina Comp. Center Lines: 37 While I'm not exactly thrilled by all ABC's coverage of the Los Angeles Olympics, I think choosing to cover it as a sort of home-town sports event is dictated by the economics of the Olympic movement. Let's face it -- ABC is not exactly getting paid by the IOC or the LAOOC for the "privilege" of covering the largest sports event in history. Not only have they had to pay a substantial fee to the LAOOC, but they are entirely responsible for the staff, equipment, planning, etc. necessary to cover all of the events for local and foreign distribution. I am sure that ABC will make money on their investment, but even breaking even would be impossible without a commentary tailored to an American audience and considerable time sold to commercials. If you don't like what they've done then find a better way to finance this mess. ABC does have a responsibility to devote primary coverage to U.S. athletes in the broadcast for the United States. As there are American athletes participating in virtually every event, in the case of conflict those with the best (or most famous) U.S. athletes take precedence. However, when little is going on I've noticed that they cover sports like rowing, where U.S. athletes are less than dominating, very very well. For every Kathy Rigby McCoy or Howard Cosell there have been good expert commentators whose insights have been enlightening and instructive. I have particularly enjoyed the Volleyball commentary, the Equestrian commentary and the rowing commentary. Even Esther Williams has been interesting talking about synchronized swimming. At any rate, under the circumstances I think ABC is doing a better job than one might expect. A certain amount of chauvinism seems to come with the territory. Despite what the net seems to think, by the ratings, ABC's coverage is playing pretty well in this country. -- Byron Howes UNC - Chapel Hill ({decvax,akgua}!mcnc!unc!howes)