NBC Sports Execs Talk Bob Costas Eyes, Sochi Ratings

NBC Sports is doing great with the broadcast of the Winter Olympic Games at Sochi this year and executives are very pleased so far, but they also discussed the much talked about event that have become Bob Costas’ eyes.

During a meeting with reporters on Wednesday afternoon, during the seventh day of the Sochi Games with ratings approaching those of the 2010 Vancouver Games and with some record-breaking performances, NBC Sports Group chairman Mark Lazarus addressed the big elephant in the room, their late night anchor Bob Costas and his red eyes.

“It’s been very unfortunate for him and for us and for viewers. He’s very frustrated, more frustrated than any of us (…) I am not surprised it is got this much attention. Bob is America’s Olympic host. They’ve come to expect him being here. When he’s not, it’s a story. We’re taking it day-by-day, and we’re hoping that Bob will be back in the chair soon.”

Lazarus praised pinch hitter Matt Lauer for coming up from the bullpen to fill in for Costas on Tuesday and Wednesday nights, although his return on Thursday is questionable as the Today co-host closed last night’s broadcast urging the absent anchor to return because he is “running out of suits” to wear for his double duty.

Bob Costas eyes have been getting so much attention on social media, someone actually created a Twitter account to poke fun at the unfortunate predicament the legendary host finds himself in, as reported by The Inquisitr on Wednesday.

NBC Universal president of research and media development Alan Wurtzel talking about the negative press prior to the games, said in a poll, viewers have overwhelmingly proceeded as normal with Sochi. “Our viewers were totally aware of all that,” he said, “but a total 87 percent said it didn’t matter to them.”

The NBC Sports execs also said spoilers due to the time difference haven’t deterred their viewers either and 44 percent of those polled said knowing of results ahead would have no impact on their decision to watch an event.

Even poor American performances by some of its bigger athletes such as Shaun White and Shani Davis have not hinder ratings for the network.

As to all the different avenues NBC Sports is using to reach viewers, Wurtzel said the additional digital content helps, not hurts primetime ratings:

“The more devices people use to view the Olympics on, the more they watch. A rising tide lifts all boats. Our strategy of providing more live coverage across all our platforms is once again proving to be very appealing.”

Lazarus added, “Viewers want event programming. There is no bigger event than the Olympics. Our multi-platform presentation style has clearly resonated with them,” the NBC Sports exec said.