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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)