Iron Pol

 
 

While triathletes around the country were busy watching the broadcast of the Ironman World Championships, I was typing out an E-mail.  What, you ask, could be so important, and time-consuming, that an E-mail could occupy the entire 90 minutes of the race?  Read on...

My letter to NBC26, WGBA out of Green Bay, Wisconsin.

The purpose of this E-mail is to express my displeasure with the decision to preempt the Ironman World Championship broadcast by NBC on Saturday, December 1, 2007.  Given the "show" that replaced this national and often award winning broadcast was a far less compelling infomercial, the decision is even more baffling.  Without the benefit of concise data, it is only a guess, but my assumption would be that your viewership for the day dropped significantly.

Those of us active in the triathlon lifestyle often struggle with our sport being associated only with the race in Kona, Hawaii.  NBC's coverage of the event, however, has been amazing at growing the sport.  To have the one event that receives network coverage preempted by an infomercial is sad.  It also shows a lack of understanding of the triathlon demographic.  In case there actually is that lack, the average triathlete is an active professional with significant disposable income.  Instead of reaching out to that market, your station opted to shun it and broadcast an extended commercial on gaining energy.  Broadcasting the triathlon would have provided a more realistic answer to that goal.  Getting active through events such as triathlons is a far better solution than whatever was being promoted on the infomercial.  Unfortunately, I am unable to speak directly to the infomercial as I turned it off in disgust.

Yep, that was how my day went.

 


Comments

Andra Sue

Sun, 02 Dec 2007 07:42:44

Oh, DANG!!! That sucks. I haven't watched it yet, but I set the DVR and I know it recorded yesterday. Are they at least broadcasting it again soon locally? I think Bolder said he was going to make a DVD out of his recording...maybe he can send it to you. :(

 

monica

Sun, 02 Dec 2007 08:45:45

MAJOR BUMMER!!! i have it tivo'd and watched it last night and it's recording im moo today too. i have my tivo set to record anything with ironman, triathlon, or triathlete in the title and it's picked up stuff i didn't even know about. a few nights ago there was a whole show on about how lokelani michaels got started in the sport and how she preps for kona. it was pretty cool. i've been meaning to figure out how to burn stuff to dvd, so it'd be a great excuse to do it. just let me know if you'd like me to send you a copy.

good on ya for sending that email. the networks need to know what we want to see. an infomercial?? please.....

 

Wendy

Sun, 02 Dec 2007 11:41:27

Oh, that's a travesty!!! I am so sorry -- but I'm glad you took action and complained!

 

Al Zinzindorf

Tue, 04 Dec 2007 07:01:40

I was very disappointed in NBC 26's decision. I am really tired of their over dramatic news coverage "breaking news now", and etc.. Their decision on Sunday caused me to make a personal decsion to boycott a channel I all ready don't watch.

 



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