Olympic Broadcast Research Articles

Athletic Insiders or Nowhere Men? NBC’s Primetime Television Coverage of Male Figure Skaters at the 2018 Olympic Games

Previous studies of NBC’s primetime Olympic commentary have revealed differences in how the network describes male figure skaters as compared to the composite of other male Olympians. To determine if NBC presented male Olympic figure skaters differently than the composite of other male Olympians during its 2018 primetime Winter Olympic broadcast, all 63.5 hours of NBC’s primetime broadcast television coverage of the PyeongChang Games were examined using a taxonomy that categorized NBC’s commentary about Olympic athletes into macro categories of success/failure, and personality/physicality. This study revealed 10 significantly-different mediated dialogue trends between male figure skaters and the aggregate of other male Winter Olympians. Male figure skaters were more likely to receive success comments related to strength, composure, and commitment, and failure comments related to a lack of concentration, strength, and composure. They were also more likely to receive comments related to being outgoing/extroverted. Other male Olympians were more likely to receive success comments related to intelligence and were more likely to receive comments about their size/body parts and comments in the “other/neutral” category. The findings are analyzed in the context of the PyeongChang broadcast and longitudinal research.

A U.S. Medal Agenda? Clock-Time and Salience Analyses of Biological Sex Representation in the 2020 and 2022 NBC Olympic Telecasts

This report examines how the National Broadcasting Company’s (NBC’s) primetime telecasts of the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympic Games and the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic Games presented male and female athletes. Clock-time analyses (of how much time each sporting event was featured in primetime) and salience analyses (of the most mentioned athletes by NBC employees) are reported. Results show that women received the majority of clock-time and name mentions during both Olympiads, a further continuation of NBC’s most recent Olympic broadcast practices, which appears to continue to be driven by American women winning the majority of the United States’ medals during both the Summer and Winter Games.

Immerse yourself in the Olympics this summer [Olympic Games - broadcasting

This summer's Olympic Games in Tokyo (2021) have taken on the challenges presented by Covid to accelerate broadcast technology. Japanese broadcaster NHK will broadcast seven Olympic sports in 8K in addition to both the opening and closing ceremonies, which will see NHK capture live 8K footage from a helicopter for the first time. The worldwide pandemic also means that there will be no international visitors in Tokyo, but Olympic Broadcasting Services (OBS) will build on virtual-reality (VR) technology introduced in Rio in 2016 and PyeongChang's 2018 Winter Olympics to make TV viewers feel a part of the Games from the comfort of their own homes.

Striking the Balance: The Portrayal of Male and Female Athletes on NBC’s Primetime Television Broadcast of the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympic Games

All 63.5 hours of NBC’s 2018 primetime Winter Olympic broadcast from PyeongChang were analyzed to determine differences between the network’s treatment of male and female athletes. For the first time in any Winter Olympiad studied, women received more athlete mentions than men and women accounted for the majority of the most mentioned athletes. A woman was the most mentioned athlete, the first time this finding has appeared on an NBC Winter Olympic broadcast. When individual sports were examined, however, men received more mentions in nine of the 15 winter sports, and a male was the most mentioned athlete in 10 winter sports. Analysis of NBC announcer dialogues revealed significant differences in only three areas, differing from past findings in previously studied Olympiads. Longitudinal context is articulated.

Shared Space: How North American Olympic Broadcasters Framed Gender on Instagram

The Olympic Games offer scholars the opportunity to better understand how broadcasters visually frame male and female athletes to their large audiences. Traditionally, scholars have focused their efforts on the televised Olympic broadcasts and photojournalism coverage in newspaper and magazines. Scholarship has historically found that female athletes were underrepresented in event coverage and framed along gender stereotypes; however, in more recent Olympic Games, research has shown the news media has provided more equitable coverage between the genders. Yet digital and social media platforms (SMPs) play a significantly larger role in how Olympic broadcasters share content and engage with audiences. Utilizing media framing theory, this study examines how gender is framed on the Olympic Instagram accounts of the two official North American rights holders: the National Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC). Researchers collected a cross-sectional sample from the 2016 Summer Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and the 2018 Winter Games in Pyeongchang, South Korea. Results indicate that NBC and CBC were generally equitable in SMP coverage of men’s and women’s athletic achievements.

(Broad)casting a Wider Net: Clocking Men and Women in the Primetime and Non-Primetime Coverage of the 2018 Winter Olympics

This study analyzed the frequency with which the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympic broadcasts featured men and women athletes. To understand these portrayals, all 557 hr and 15 min of National Broadcasting Company’s (NBC) 2018 Winter Olympic telecasts were recorded. This recorded content included the 62 hr and 30 min of NBC’s primetime program and, for the first time, all of the remaining non-NBC primetime coverage on NBC’s other networks. Women athletes received the majority of the clock time on the NBC primetime broadcast; however, men received significantly more clock time on the remaining Olympic telecasts. Additionally, for both sets of broadcasts, differences were found between the amount of coverage for men and women athletes by sport. Through the lens of agenda-setting theory, potential reasons and ramifications for the different trends of coverage by broadcast are discussed.

A major sporting event or an entertainment show? A content analysis of Australian television coverage of the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games

Outside of the Paralympic Games, elite athletes with disability rarely feature in the media. Using mixed method content analysis, the aim of this study was to compare the production and content of the 2016 Paralympic and Olympic Games broadcasts of an Australian commercial television network. Data were collected from recordings of a daily highlights show of the Paralympic and Olympic Games using a data abstraction tool with a priori codes. Data were coded for – content, participant(s) and context. Results suggest the Paralympic Games was broadcast as an entertainment show rather than a major sporting event. There were greater attempts during the Paralympic broadcast to elicit emotion; notions of competition vs. participation were raised; and stories of disability ran parallel to those of hardship. These differences in media portrayal of elite athletes with disability feed into existing notions that under-values their athleticism.

The Canadian State of Mind: Coverage of Men and Women Athletes in the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation’s Prime Time Broadcast of the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympic Games

The following study represents the first attempt in to empirically analyze the Canadian Broadcast Corporation’s (CBC) prime time Olympic broadcast to determine if there were significant trends based on the sex of the athlete. All 72 hours of the CBC’s 2014 prime time Winter Olympic broadcast were analyzed. When excluding mixed-pair competitions, men received 60.4 percent of the airtime. Men received 61.2 percent of the mentions and comprised 65 percent of the top 20 most-mentioned athletes list. Sportscaster dialogues surrounding the attributions of success and failure of athletes, as well as depictions of physicality and personality, contained some divergences based on the sex of an athlete. Men were more likely to be depicted as succeeding because of athletic ability and intelligence while women were more likely to have their successes attributed to experience. Additionally, men were more likely to have their failures attributed to lack of intelligence. In the areas of personality/physicality, women athletes were more likely to receive comments about their size/parts of the body while men were more likely to receive comments in the areas of outgoing/extroversion and emotions.

The Thin Line Between Masculinity and Skate: Primetime Narratives of Male Figure Skaters on the CBC and NBC 2014 Winter Olympic Broadcasts

An empirical analysis was conducted focusing on how the United States-based NBC and the Canada-based CBC portrayed male figure skaters in comparison with their male Winter Olympic counterparts on the networks’ primetime 2014 Olympic broadcasts. Using 100% of all primetime broadcast content as a universe of investigation, NBC’s and the CBC’s commentary about male figure skaters was compared with the aggregate of all other male Winter Olympians in the areas of success, failure and personality/physicality. Analysis of NBC’s primetime coverage of the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympic Games revealed five (5) significantly-different dialogue trends between male figure skaters and the aggregate of other male Winter Olympians, while analysis of the CBC’s primetime coverage revealed seven (7) significantly-different dialogue trends between male figure skaters and the aggregate of other male Winter Olympians. Differences were not consistent from network to network, showing that NBC and CBC treated male figure skaters differently, yet in significantly different manners by network. Insights are offered on the theoretical and applied levels.Une analyse empirique a été conduite pour savoir comment la chaîne américaine NBC et la chaîne canadienne CBC présentaient les patineurs sur glace par rapport à leurs homologues masculins participant aux Jeux Olympiques d’Hiver lors de leurs prime times en 2014. En utilisant 100% du contenu des prime times diffusés comme terrain d’investigation, les commentaires de NBC et de CBC concernant les patineurs sur glace ont été comparés à ceux, agrégés, de tous les autres olympiens masculins dans le domaine de la réussite, de l’échec, de la personnalité et du physique. L’analyse de la couverture des Jeux Olympiques 2014 de Sotchi en prime time sur NBC a révélé cinq types de discours significativement différents entre les patineurs et l’ensemble des autres olympiens alors que l’analyse de la couverture en prime time du CBC en a révélé sept. Les différences ne sont pas similaires d’une chaîne à l’autre, ce qui montre que NBC et CBC ont traité les patineurs sur glace différemment. Des éclairages sont apportés aux niveaux théoriques et appliqués.

VR at the Olympics

Just five weeks before the games begin in Rio, US broadcaster NBC confirmed that it will offer virtual reality (VR) coverage to people with Samsung's Gear VR headsets. The content will come from Olympic Broadcasting Services, the IOC's TV arm, which partnered with NextVR and Samsung to produce VR coverage of events during February's Winter Youth Games in Lillehammer, Norway. NextVR is the market leader in the production and distribution of VR content from live events. It captures them in 6K resolution (6144x3072px), having developed the camera rigs (using six Red feature film-standard cameras), algorithms and the first dedicated VR outside broadcast truck.

The dwindling Winter Olympic divide between male and female athletes: the NBC broadcast network’s primetime coverage of the 2014 Sochi Olympic Games

All 63 h of the National Broadcasting Company’s (NBC) scheduled primetime coverage of the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympic broadcast were analyzed revealing significant sex-based trends. Women athletes received 47.7% of the clock-time on the broadcast, more than in any other Winter Olympiad examined, and significantly more than in the previous four Winter Olympic Games. Women received 41.7% of the mentions in the broadcast and comprised 45% of the top-20 most mentioned athletes. Sex-based divergences in dialogues surrounding attributions of success were found, but none were detected for attributions of failure. Sex-based differences were also found in descriptions of personality/physicality. Contextualization is offered related to other intervening factors such as US medal successes by sex, celebrity and salient storylines surrounding American athletes.

Organization of radar and aerological observations in the region of the Sochi-2014 Olympic and Paralympic Games

Described is the system of radar observations and upper-air sounding that was organized for providing weather services for the Sochi-2014 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Considered are the basic stages of its organization and development including the operational delivery of radar data to the user groups of different levels, namely, from the forecasters at local weather offices at Olympic sport venues to the Roshydromet official website, the FROST-2014 international research project participants, and Olympic Broadcasting Service. Presented is the list of main information products which were used by the forecasters responsible for the Olympic weather services. Given are the results of the expansion of the radar coverage area by exchanging information with the meteorological services of neighboring countries and by the creation of operational technology of reception and assimilation of this information and generation of composite maps using the data of the Akhun Mountain radar and radars in Samsun, Trabzon, and Simferopol.

Taking Remote Production to the Next Level: CBC's Coverage of the 2014 Sochi Olympic Games

In 2012, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) was awarded the Canadian broadcast rights for the 2014 and 2016 Olympics. The Olympic broadcast experience is a nationbuilding event that embraces partnerships and cross-platforms and be can be shared in multiple languages. Content will be delivered on TV, desktop, mobile, tablet, and radio platforms with all sport available to watch live in both official languages, emphasizing a need for a production model that is flexible, robust, and cost effective. To meet this challenge, CBC/Radio-Canada (RC) has chosen a remote production model that utilizes a transmission concept that will extend the reach of our Olympic headquarters in both Montreal and Toronto not only to the International Broadcast Center, but directly to the sporting venues. This presentation covers new concepts of remote production, next-generation live remote event delivery, and transmission concepts that allow CBC/RC to make innovative production and cost-minimizing decisions. Remote production, as it applies to the CBC/RC, is a concept of producing content with minimal infrastructure deployed at the remote site. With only the necessary resources on site, costs are reduced, but more importantly quality and accessibility of media are increased utilizing existing robust infrastructure at home to support remote talent. Remote production on this scale required the development of new transmission concepts. Subjects covered in this paper include file-based delivery of content, Internet protocol technology at the venue, minimizing frame rate conversion, remote audio and video production, and next-generation transmission. The presentation also provides insight into the technical and operational challenges that were overcome and production opportunities that were realized during the design and implementation of the plan.

Fanfare for the American

Previous analyses have indicated strong tendencies for a host Olympic network to favor one’s home nation through enhanced clock-time, highlighting of star athletes from one’s home country, and more nuanced and positive dialogues. Analysis of NBC’s 2012 London Summer Olympic broadcast revealed significant differences between American and non-American athletes. Regarding athletic mentions, American athletes were more likely to be mentioned (55.8%) than all other athletes combined and composed 75% of the most-mentioned athletes within the broadcast. Regarding descriptions ascribed to the Olympians, American athletes were more likely to be depicted using subjective characterizations, disproportionately having their successes attributed to superior composure, commitment, intelligence, and consonance as well as having a greater level of comments pertaining to their modest/introverted nature. Conversely, non-American athletes were more likely to receive success attributions related to their superior experience and failures depicted as a lack of athletic skill—both largely objective measures.

Competing Separately, Medaling Equally: Racial Depictions of Athletes in NBC's Primetime Broadcast of the 2012 London Olympic Games

Analysis of NBC's 2012 London Summer Olympic broadcast revealed significant differences between athletes of different ethnic backgrounds. Regarding athletic mentions, White athletes were more likely to be mentioned (64.3%) than all other athletes combined, with significant differences found in the reporting of an athlete from differing ethnic backgrounds depending on the venue where the mention is made. Regarding descriptions ascribed to the Olympians, significant differences were found when comparing the commentary for White, Black, Latino, Asian, and Middle Eastern athletes, including differences in the discussion of successes and failures of athletic strength, athletic ability, experience, and intelligence. Implications on the dialogue divergences are offered at the theoretical level, with heuristic impact being discussed in a variety of contexts.

Where the Gender Differences Really Reside: The “Big Five” Sports Featured in NBC's 2012 London Primetime Olympic Broadcast

This study analyzed all 69 hours of NBC's primetime coverage of the 2012 London Summer Olympics to determine which sports were most likely to contain divergences in dialogue by gender of athlete. Coding over 14,000 descriptors, 23 significant differences were detected: 11 attributions of athletic success and failure and 12 depictions of personality and physicality. Swimming was found to have the most dialogue differences (seven), while beach volleyball only contained one. Ramifications and implications for the study of gender in sports media are offered.

5,535 Hours of Impact: Effects of Olympic Media on Nationalism Attitudes

Past studies have shown how international events such as the Olympic broadcast tend to favor athletes from a home nation in terms of both the amount of time devoted and the descriptions ascribed to home-nation athletes. This study highlights the ramifications of this focus on nationalism within the 2012 London Olympic telecast. A survey of 342 respondents at three different points in time (immediately before the Olympics, immediately after, and one month after) was conducted to determine the relationship between Olympic media exposure and nationalistic attitudes. Results showed that heavy viewers of the Olympics displayed significantly higher levels of nationalism, patriotism, internationalism and smugness than light viewers of Olympic media. Moreover, regarding differences between measurements before and after the Olympics, only smugness increased over time. Theoretical extrapolations of cultivation effects are offered, as are directions for future research.

Evolution of Sport-Broadcast Commentary: The Case of China

The Olympic Games are one of the most popular global televised sporting events. In the greater body of sport communication literature, a great deal of focus has been placed on examining sport media from the West. This article considers the unique and specific case of Chinese Olympic broadcast commentary televised by state media. In this, an evolutionary process of sport media can be seen in the analysis of several themes: nationalism and identity, heroes and failure, collectivism and individualism, and the portrayal of female athletes. In considering the dynamic changes that have come about in the past 3 decades of Chinese commentary, it is evident that many themes in Chinese sport media have become reflective of those found in Western sport media. While Chinese sport media have similarities to Western sport media, it is important to note that Chinese sport media are unique. Results of this work can help provide richer understanding of sport media and consumers in China.

‘Black as Kenenisa Bekele in a tunnel’: Representation of African athletes in Slovenian Olympic broadcasting

Western/international media often portray African athletes in stereotypical terms similar to those applied to most other topics related to Africa. This study analyses how the identity, ethnicity and nationality of African athletes are negotiated in Olympic broadcasting in Slovenia, a post-socialist member of the European Union. The author conducted a critical analysis of the commentary by network reporters during 44 hours of athletics and swimming broadcasts of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games on Slovenian public television. Naturalised athletes, many of them Africans, were occasionally labelled as ‘imported’ and deemed ‘untrue’ nationals. Such negative framing was not prevented by the network management. Peculiar representations of African athletes highlighted and potentially enhanced the perceived difference between them and the viewers. Despite being aired on a public service broadcaster, Olympic programming in Slovenia provides little information and education on African sports.

2012 런던 올림픽 중계 콘텐츠의 특성에 따른 시청률 비교 분석

The purpose of this study is to provide basic materials to establish media strategy of olympic contents through analysis of rating according to characteristics of 2012 London olympic terrestrial broadcasting con-tents. The study results are as follows. The conclusion are based on data for rating obtained by AGB Nielsen during London olympic period. First, For rating each region of London olympic broadcasting contents, the Metropolitan area was higher than whole nation area. But there was no difference in share. Second, Rating each event of London olympic broadcasting contents showed difference in rating and share. Rhythmic exercises, shooting, archery, and judo showed high rating. And soccer, archery, swimming, and rhythmic exercises showed high share. Third, There were differences in rating and share according to broadcasting stations. Rating was KBS2, SBS, KBS1, MBC in the order. And share was SBS, KBS2, MBC, KBS1 in the order. Fourth, There was difference according to a day of the week and Saturday was higher than week days. On the other hand, there was no difference in share. Fifth, There was difference in rating according to time slot and SA slot was higher than other slot such as A, B, C. But there was no difference in share.