General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Reduced Kona 2011 Coverage on NBC Rss Feed  
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2011-12-06 9:14 AM
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Subject: RE: Reduced Kona 2011 Coverage on NBC
the bear - 2011-12-02 2:07 PM

For 90% or more of the potential viewers, 90 minutes is about 85 minutes too long. Even as an avid triathlete I have little interest in watching triathlon on TV.


So true.

Even as someone who loves participating in the sport, I don't think I have watched more than 10 minutes total of it on TV ... including Kona. Just doesn't translate well to TV.

But on the other hand, I have no problem watching hours and hours of Tour de France coverage on Versus every July. Go figure.


2011-12-06 10:45 AM
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Subject: RE: Reduced Kona 2011 Coverage on NBC

mroger82 - 2011-12-04 6:48 AM Well I won't even have the option to watch given that my local NBC affiliate has decided to pre empt the Kona broadcast to show a local college basketball game instead. Feel free to bombard them with emails. KYTV in Springfield, MO.

 

http://thepiratebay.org/torrent/6741894/Hawaii_Ironman_Aussies_Abroard_ESPN_Kona_Triathlon_Special_2011
2011-12-06 10:58 AM
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Subject: RE: Reduced Kona 2011 Coverage on NBC

I'll admit I actually like watching the stories and featured athletes. Guess I'm a sucker for that kinda stuff.

Also, my bf is not a triathlete and doesn't really care that much about any races (except the ones I do, of course -- hehe) but I was flipping through the channels and randomly landed on the Kona coverage two years ago, and both he and his roommate, who were jabbering away during the first ten minutes not paying any attention, got sucked in and were GLUED to the TV the rest of the time. We made a point to watch it last year and we're actually hosting a little party this year!

I think the stories are inspiring and (especially if you don't follow tris and know who won the race), it's exciting to see the pros, too.

2011-12-06 11:20 AM
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Subject: RE: Reduced Kona 2011 Coverage on NBC

I will be happy just watching the Pro-Race!

2011-12-06 11:26 AM
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Subject: RE: Reduced Kona 2011 Coverage on NBC

GaryRM - 2011-12-05 1:57 PM Will DVR (deleting last years to make room) and will be watching when riding the trainer.

 

Great idea^^

2011-12-08 6:28 AM
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Subject: RE: Reduced Kona 2011 Coverage on NBC
papson14 - 2011-12-04 2:08 AM

I'll watch it, always do.  Always enjoy it too. 

I watched Australia's version that came out earlier than NBC's and it was horrible.  NBC's coverage would crush it.  Macca was interviewed and the Craig Alexander coverage was good but other than that horrible.  They should have just called it Craig Alexander does Hawaii. 

I just watched the Aussie coverage too. Someone posted a torrent link in this thread, which I think is now removed, but I got it in time, and downloaded it. I watched it with a non-triathlete friend, and answered a bunch of questions about bikes, shoes, IMFL poop guy. I've never been the "expert" in the room watching sports with anyone. I'm the guy asking "what is offsides here?"

So, I have to say, I really do prefer the NBC operatic drama. The Aussie coverage was what you'd get if, as many say would be preferable, it just focused on the pro race. But what a difference in tone. You see the pro swim start which is way less impressive of an event with so few people in the water. The coverage is much more like regular sports coverage, which is fine. Triathlon needs that too. I would say the 70.3 championship broadcast was much more like traditional sports coverage.

But as we have lots of varying opinions in this thread, and I do see where they're all coming from in one way or another, I have to say I'm one of those who loves the NBC version. There's at least one IM finisher in this thread who has said it was the broadcast years ago that sparked the interest. Not a one-and-done type either.

I'll be watching the broadcast Saturday, and I expect to get choked up. The next day I have to go to a funeral of a man who died of cancer at 62. I grew up across the street from him. He was the first person I ever knew who ran a marathon. He has retroactively inspired me, and was also a great person to be around. I'll get more choked up then.

So I get all the valid criticisms of making "too much" of the "human interest" stories, but I'm a big old sentimental fool. For 99.99999% of us, it's just getting to the finish line, not racing against Crowie or Chrissie. I think it's OK to inspire people to do just that.



Edited by TheClaaaw 2011-12-08 6:29 AM


2011-12-08 8:29 AM
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Subject: RE: Reduced Kona 2011 Coverage on NBC

I'll be glued to the wall. (I'm going to use the projector so the coverage will be larger than life.) I remind my family daily where I will be 3:30 (CST) on Sunday.

I also would have watched all 18 hours of the Kona coverage online if my family would have let me get away with it. As it was, I was sneaking away from whatever activity we were doing at the time to check in for 20-30 minutes throughout the day. I LOVED it.

I watch everything I can -- I even found the 2008 NBC show on Hulu. I watched it yesterday afternoon while I was "working."

2011-12-08 11:14 AM
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Subject: RE: Reduced Kona 2011 Coverage on NBC
KansasMom - 2011-12-08 9:29 AM

I'll be glued to the wall. (I'm going to use the projector so the coverage will be larger than life.) I remind my family daily where I will be 3:30 (CST) on Sunday.

I also would have watched all 18 hours of the Kona coverage online if my family would have let me get away with it. As it was, I was sneaking away from whatever activity we were doing at the time to check in for 20-30 minutes throughout the day. I LOVED it.

I watch everything I can -- I even found the 2008 NBC show on Hulu. I watched it yesterday afternoon while I was "working."

The time zone adjustment may be accurate, but you may not want to tune in a day late.

2011-12-08 11:49 AM
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Subject: RE: Reduced Kona 2011 Coverage on NBC
TheClaaaw - 2011-12-08 11:14 AM
KansasMom - 2011-12-08 9:29 AM

I'll be glued to the wall. (I'm going to use the projector so the coverage will be larger than life.) I remind my family daily where I will be 3:30 (CST) on Sunday.

I also would have watched all 18 hours of the Kona coverage online if my family would have let me get away with it. As it was, I was sneaking away from whatever activity we were doing at the time to check in for 20-30 minutes throughout the day. I LOVED it.

I watch everything I can -- I even found the 2008 NBC show on Hulu. I watched it yesterday afternoon while I was "working."

The time zone adjustment may be accurate, but you may not want to tune in a day late.

Oh, dear. That could have been a very sad day for me. Saturday. Saturday. Saturday.

Thanks!

2011-12-09 9:23 AM
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Subject: RE: Reduced Kona 2011 Coverage on NBC

I got an email from the producer of the episode on Wednesday saying my 6 minute clip that was originally planned had to drop to 2 minuets because EVERY storyline finished the race this year. They said normally that never happens and it gives more time for the other stories. 

 

Oh well. Enjoy it tomorrow and hopefully they make me not look like an idiot.

2011-12-09 9:55 AM
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Subject: RE: Reduced Kona 2011 Coverage on NBC
90 mins with more interviews than anything oh well


2011-12-10 4:55 PM
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Subject: RE: Reduced Kona 2011 Coverage on NBC
i saw you...awesome story...and great job!!
2011-12-10 5:00 PM
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Subject: RE: Reduced Kona 2011 Coverage on NBC

rrobinette - 2011-12-10 4:55 PM i saw you...awesome story...and great job!!

Ditto!!

2011-12-10 5:10 PM
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Subject: RE: Reduced Kona 2011 Coverage on NBC
swishyskirt - 2011-12-06 10:58 AM

I'll admit I actually like watching the stories and featured athletes. Guess I'm a sucker for that kinda stuff.

Also, my bf is not a triathlete and doesn't really care that much about any races (except the ones I do, of course -- hehe) but I was flipping through the channels and randomly landed on the Kona coverage two years ago, and both he and his roommate, who were jabbering away during the first ten minutes not paying any attention, got sucked in and were GLUED to the TV the rest of the time. We made a point to watch it last year and we're actually hosting a little party this year!

I think the stories are inspiring and (especially if you don't follow tris and know who won the race), it's exciting to see the pros, too.

Me too, I love watching it! Drives the Dream!!
2011-12-10 5:39 PM
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Subject: RE: Reduced Kona 2011 Coverage on NBC
I was a little disapointed i thought last years coverage was better. I'm pretty sure there were more comercials then anything else. I know it costs money to air but really?
2011-12-10 6:27 PM
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Subject: RE: Reduced Kona 2011 Coverage on NBC
Decatur217 - 2011-12-09 7:23 AM

I got an email from the producer of the episode on Wednesday saying my 6 minute clip that was originally planned had to drop to 2 minuets because EVERY storyline finished the race this year. They said normally that never happens and it gives more time for the other stories. 

 

Oh well. Enjoy it tomorrow and hopefully they make me not look like an idiot.

Which story were you? 



2011-12-10 8:05 PM
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Subject: RE: Reduced Kona 2011 Coverage on NBC
n.k - 2011-12-10 6:27 PM
Decatur217 - 2011-12-09 7:23 AM

I got an email from the producer of the episode on Wednesday saying my 6 minute clip that was originally planned had to drop to 2 minuets because EVERY storyline finished the race this year. They said normally that never happens and it gives more time for the other stories. 

 

Oh well. Enjoy it tomorrow and hopefully they make me not look like an idiot.

Which story were you? 

 

The PE teacher.  Since they cut so much of the filming, they did not mention that my school is a residential school for children with emotional and behavioral disabilities living full time at the school.  They also filmed at my schools "bike shop" for three hours when they came. I have an area with like 50-60 old used ran down bikes from the local university that I teach basic bike maintenance to the kids.  They said they were going to use it in the segment but timing issue had them cut it down tremendously.

They filmed like 5 hours at my parents house interviewing them as well but nothing included in the piece.  Oh well...Still my 15 minutes of fame.

Want to read up more on me, many newspapers around my area have done stories.

 

just google search Roy Riley, Ironman or Cunningham Children's Home

2011-12-10 8:11 PM
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Subject: RE: Reduced Kona 2011 Coverage on NBC
I don't understand all the negative comments about the coverage.  It is a 8+ hour event, pretty hard to make it interesting TV without the fluff background stories.  I actually thought it was pretty well done but then again I will watch or read just about anything to do with triathlon.
2011-12-10 8:37 PM
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Subject: RE: Reduced Kona 2011 Coverage on NBC
Decatur217 - 2011-12-10 9:05 PM
n.k - 2011-12-10 6:27 PM

Which story were you? 

 

The PE teacher.  Since they cut so much of the filming, they did not mention that my school is a residential school for children with emotional and behavioral disabilities living full time at the school.  They also filmed at my schools "bike shop" for three hours when they came. I have an area with like 50-60 old used ran down bikes from the local university that I teach basic bike maintenance to the kids.  They said they were going to use it in the segment but timing issue had them cut it down tremendously.

They filmed like 5 hours at my parents house interviewing them as well but nothing included in the piece.  Oh well...Still my 15 minutes of fame.

Want to read up more on me, many newspapers around my area have done stories.

 

just google search Roy Riley, Ironman or Cunningham Children's Home

I would much rather have heard more about your work at the residential school (my wife is a children & youth caseworker so she filled in that blank immediately), than however long they took to tell us about the wealthy guy with the wine stores. The only reason that cat was on the broadcast was the NBC background.

I wasn't as moved this year as in 2010, but that December was probably an un-repeatable moment in my life. My family was enthralled with me this year, and knew about the 4 second lady from my obsessive online watching.

My daughter said "Daddy I love to watch ironman. Especially the people finishing." - And she has a new sports hero, Chrissie.

With the reduced time slot, it seemed they cut back on the number of stories, as well as pro race coverage. There's nothing but hate over at slowtwitch (ok, 95/5) but I thought the gravity of these repeat wins for Crowie and Chrissie, her injuries, his record, was all well-documented in the show.

I will say I am glad that all the coverage of the stumbling elderly paid off with them finishing.

2011-12-10 8:57 PM
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Subject: RE: Reduced Kona 2011 Coverage on NBC

I was really looking forward to seeing it.

I saw it.

I was not disappointed.

Then I went back to my hockey. There are 10 hours of Hockey Night in Canada today.

My Canadians won. My Sens are down.  I have big hopes for Edmonton.

Patriots and Giants tomorrow!

What a great weekend. 

2011-12-10 9:00 PM
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Subject: RE: Reduced Kona 2011 Coverage on NBC
I felt this year was total trash. None of the stories were good or inspiring (no offense but they didn't sell it, made you seem like a regular PE teacher, the rich wine-o guy really put the nail in the coffin for me... Also Tara did too. Good job your a rich guy who works with NBC for a shameless plug with his restaurants. Tara cool you won the get fat the follow me on a dangerous downward spiral fitness program. Another NBC plug. Was a shame.


2011-12-10 9:19 PM
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Subject: RE: Reduced Kona 2011 Coverage on NBC
Decatur217 - 2011-12-10 8:05 PM
n.k - 2011-12-10 6:27 PM
Decatur217 - 2011-12-09 7:23 AM

I got an email from the producer of the episode on Wednesday saying my 6 minute clip that was originally planned had to drop to 2 minuets because EVERY storyline finished the race this year. They said normally that never happens and it gives more time for the other stories. 

 

Oh well. Enjoy it tomorrow and hopefully they make me not look like an idiot.

Which story were you? 

 

The PE teacher.  Since they cut so much of the filming, they did not mention that my school is a residential school for children with emotional and behavioral disabilities living full time at the school.  They also filmed at my schools "bike shop" for three hours when they came. I have an area with like 50-60 old used ran down bikes from the local university that I teach basic bike maintenance to the kids.  They said they were going to use it in the segment but timing issue had them cut it down tremendously.

They filmed like 5 hours at my parents house interviewing them as well but nothing included in the piece.  Oh well...Still my 15 minutes of fame.

Want to read up more on me, many newspapers around my area have done stories.

 

just google search Roy Riley, Ironman or Cunningham Children's Home

Even the little I saw of your story, I thought it was wonderful. You are making a real difference in the lives of many children. As my husband said after your story, "He is practicing what he preaches." Great job!

2011-12-10 10:01 PM
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Subject: RE: Reduced Kona 2011 Coverage on NBC

Decatur217 - I thought your story was very cool.  Your comments about learning sports from your dad and feeling for the kids you reach who didn't have that opportunity were right on time.  My guess is that you don't make much for what you do, and get damn little thanks for it.  So, for what it's worth, I think what you do is worth the world.  Congratulations on your finish, and I hope you can parlay it into an educational experience for the kids you are helping.

VERY WELL DONE!

I will run every sprint/oly triathlon I do next year with my 14 year old son.....I consider myself one of the luckiest men alive.

 

 



Edited by Left Brain 2011-12-10 10:31 PM
2011-12-10 10:11 PM
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Subject: RE: Reduced Kona 2011 Coverage on NBC
Great job Decatur !!!Great coverage and love all the special interest stories...... Those older guys at the end were incredible !!!!!!!!!!!!!wooiooohooooooo. Gotta go train!
2011-12-10 10:28 PM
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Subject: RE: Reduced Kona 2011 Coverage on NBC

My wife and I watched Kona today and enjoyed it.  We saw Decatur217 and were as impressed as LeftBrain (so X2 & 3 for us).  We also admired the soldier amputee, the 80 yr old Dr and the 17:00:04 lady.

I think if you finish like she did she should be listed as FOT (Finished OverTime) and not DNF.  She is no less an Ironman to me.

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