Editorial: Tape delay may yield an Olympics of Zzzzz

Friday, June 29, 2001 | 4:26 a.m.

Television viewership for the Sydney Olympics in 2000 was the worst for the Games since the early 1960s. This was due in large part to irritated viewers who tuned out since the coverage was tape delayed. In some of the more egregious instances, an event wasn't broadcast for nearly 24 hours after it happened. In an era of round-the-clock television news networks and Internet websites, taped-delay coverage is mind boggling.

At least Nevadans found solace in the fact that the next Olympics would be held right next door in Utah. No more tape delays -- Nevadans could watch most of the action live. But NBC executives apparently didn't learn from their past mistake, and bowing to pressure from local affiliates who helped pay for NBC's fees to broadcast the Olympics, the network will air the Salt Lake City Olympics on tape delay in Nevada, California, Washington and Oregon. Instead of offering coverage from 5 p.m.-8:30 p.m. to coincide with the rest of the nation, these four Western states will have to wait until 7:30 p.m. before coverage starts. The network's local affiliated stations believe that the later start time will mean more viewers, which in turn pleases advertisers, but they're squeezing the excitement out of the Games.

NBC should reconsider this decision and allow all viewers in the West to see this dramatic sporting event unfold live. Otherwise, it's like watching a suspenseful movie when you already know the ending. What's the point?