Olympic Opening Ceremony Highest Rated of All Time for NBC -Almost 1/2 of all TV's Tuned to Games

Drudge Report ^ | February 9, 2002 | Matt Drudge

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NBC's broadcast drew a 25.5 national rating and a 42 national share with Nielsen Media Research reporting that 72 million watch all or part.

That means an average of 25.5 percent of all U.S. TV homes and 42 percent of the TV were tuned to NBC.

It was an stunning and immediate turnaround from the last Olympics, the Summer Games in Sydney in September 2000.

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If Katie Couric would have been out of there the ratings might have been higher.

[glock rocks]

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Forgot the list bump

[RoseofTexas]

OMG! This is GREAT! The world and the majority of the American people finally witnessed OUR president's compassionate human side. His poll numbers will SHHHHHOOOOTTT through the roof! HEHEHHEHHE, imagine the sour faces bubba,hitlery and the rest of the RATS had as they watched W recieve a THUNDEROUS reception from 72,000+!

[Lady Jag]

If Katie Couric would have been out of there the ratings might have been higher.

Until last night my knowledge of Couric and Costas was just heresay; I had never seen them on a broadcast. And I just have to say that they have the poorest brain function of anyone on-air in recent memory. I nominate Couric and Costas for the "Someone Stole My Brain Award".

[MeekOneGOP]

Oops! Guess I'm on the other half's side. FOX News on right now. Maybe I'll check it out shortly. . .

[Carolina]

...just have to say that they have the poorest brain function of anyone on-air in recent memory.

At the most solemn moment, when the WTC flag was in processional, they kept yammering away when everyone else stood in silence.

I was glad for the "Mute" button on the remote.

[mombonn]

I nominate Couric and Costas for the "Someone Stole My Brain Award".

How can you steal what never existed?

[mombonn]

I nominate Couric and Costas for the "Someone Stole My Brain Award".

How can you steal what never existed?

[Lady Jag]

How can you steal what never existed?

If that's the case, it would make her anacephalic from birth. Hmm, and I thought the wind was whistling through their mics.

Seriously, why are two such incompetent people doing this? Doesn't NBC have anyone good?

[YaYa123]

Even Tom Shales of the WashPost gets it right:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A48735-2002Feb8.html

"..Couric and Costas managed to mangle what should have been one of the most moving highlights of last night's pageantry. The tattered and torn flag found in the ruins of the World Trade Center after its destruction by terrorists was carried into the stadium by New York firefighters and police officers. An awesome silence came over the crowd -- but not over the blabbery and jabbery Couric and Costas."

[irishjuggler]

Olympics? NBC? What's all this?
Here in the northern half of the San Francisco area, NBC is no longer broadcast over the air. For those of us without cable or satellite, NBC hasn't existed since the first of the year. Other than during these Olympics, I can't really say that I miss them all that much. Brokaw, Couric, and the West Wing? Who needs 'em?

[goldstategop]

The REAL reason all those sets were tuned in was cause President Bush was on hand. He looked confident, classy and was the right man at the right time to put America's best face forward to the world. I think the best moment in the Opening Ceremony was when they brought Old Glory in. It brought tears to my eyes and every one in the stadium including our President were visibility affected. The world be damned. These are OUR Patriotic Games no matter what any one else thinks.

[GuillermoX]

The three hours NBC did today was pretty good. Other than commercials, it was just about all competition. There was only one "human interest" story, and it was pretty short. And, contrary IOC edicts, they are showing American athletes.

[Kaslin]

This is also from the Washington Post

Katie Couric, wearing a goofily oversized red headband to keep her precious cranium safe from the cold, co-hosted the opening ceremonies coverage with NBC Sports superstar Bob Costas.

[Quicksilver]

Katie Couric was like an annoying, buzzing fly at a picnic.

[Grig]

I'm so glad I got to see it on CBC instead of NBC. They did a much better job of it.

Does anyone know if there will be a DVD or soundtrack of it sometime?

[Wild Irish Rogue]

This is the first opening ceremony that I have ever watched in it's entirety and I did so for one reason and one reason only-to see President Bush. The ceremony was magnificent, but the coverage was God awful.Besides the 3 fools in the booth yapping during the whole ceremony(is this old coot week or what-Fritz Hollings, Robert Byrd and now, poor mumbling Jim McKay)- the camera work left a lot to be desired. NBC should replay the whole ceremony, editing out the 3 fools, so we could hear the music and the applause- I'd watch it again.

[VOA]

If Katie Couric would have been out of there the ratings might have been higher.

No kidding.
And if NBC had the good sense to not use McKay in the opening live shots.
I cringed when he stumbled on his lines. Heck, I revere him as the real voice of
The Real Olympics of years past, but he's in his 80s now...use him for good
pre-recorded vignettes.

Wonder if this sort of rating boost holds up for very long...

[middie]

Actually, if one were put aside for just an evening the emnity that flows so freely here, one could recognize that the NBC coverage is really quite good.