The coverage is not for you, the triathlete. We are not a big enough audience. It is NOT like the NFL where there are what, 100 million fans? If they covered it like a sporting event, the small number of triathletes would prefer it, but they would lose the broader audience. Ain’t gonna happen. It’s about money.
Mike
they had a great 1hr race coverage on the german tv the day after the race. Maybe you should all move to germany.
Agreed…the coverage for the avid triathlete occured live online the day of the race. Not the best way to watch it but thats all we had. I thought they did a good job overall. The Marlins guy
cracked me up!
I sat and watched the live coverage via ironman.com the day of the race and loved it.
I sat down yesterday and watched the NBC coverage and loved it.
I think both are necessary. Am I in the minority?
I have been reading ST for 2 years. One thing I have learned about Ironman AG’ers, is that they are primarily self centered, and egocentric. They believe the world revolves around them. They think that because they finished an Ironman they are entitled to something. So instead of looking at the broadcast for what it is, they bitch and moan about what it isn’t.
This happens every year, heaven forbid NBC focuses on someone overcoming a challenge, or someone new to the sport. They can’t believe NBC didn’t spend any time covering them. It is really pretty sad.
I don’t think you are. I thought the same thing. A group of us had an Ironman party during the race and we had the live Ironman.com coverage on in one room and College football and the World Series on in another room and enjoyed the pro race as it unfolded. My wife and I yesterday while setting up the Christmas tree were both in tears watching the NBC coverage. The Jon Blais story had us crying our eyes out.
Sister Mondonna Buder is my hero. The story she told about how she was getting irritated with the swimmer bumping into her is priceless, and when she crossed the finish line I balled again. She was a guest speaker back in the late 90’s when my daughter completed her 1st Kids Triathlon at the Team Toledo Sylvania Kids Triathlon in Northwest Ohio. In 2002 my daughter and I ran with Sister Madonna Buder during her last mile on Lakeshore drive in Penticton as she finished Ironman Canada. She’s just an amazing person.
How TRUE!
News flash…next years coverage will be the same thing! If you don’t want to see the touchy feely stories, don’t watch.
The triathlon community is very lucky NBC airs 2 hours of coverage during prime time (sort of). If the public wants to see the love stories and tear jerking drama, then that is great. It is this exposure on TV that opens up our sport to millions of people and YES it is those same people that may very likely turn into volenteers at the next race race. It is those viewers that might hand us the next glass of gatorade of a finishers medal.
If ST’ers don’t like the coverage they shouldn’t watch. For the rest of us we should be thankful for the exposure, the money involved and the opportunity to share our passion.
They think that because they finished an Ironman they are entitled to something.
I wonder how many of the complainers are actually IM Hawaii finishers?
I enjoy both the live coverage (and I was in Kona) and the NBC two hour show. They each have their own value and audiences. I don’t know why some can’t appreciate that.
Its not all about you.
I wonder how many of the complainers are actually IM Hawaii finishers?
I’ll make it easy, none.
**I wonder how many of the complainers are actually IM Hawaii finishers? **
OK, I gotta ask…what on earth does that have to do with anything? Does this mean that unless you’ve actually completed IMH, you are not allowed to comment on a TV show???
Look, its OK to not like the NBC coverage in its entirety. Its also OK to say that on a public forum, whether or not you’ve finished IM Hawaii. I like a little bit of the human interest stuff…hey, I felt for Blaiseman, and I was cheering for Sister Buder as much as the next person. I thought it was pretty cool when they showed her finishing with less than a minute to go. But the show has become all about that…its just too much for some of us, and guess what, that’s OK. It doesn’t make us bad people, or self-absorbed, or anti-triathletes to wish that a little bit more of the drama of the actual race was shown. It is also OK to not like the melodramatic commentary provided by Al Trautwig…not liking Al’s commentary does not reflect on me as a person. It doesn’t mean we want to hear about tire pressures, or stem angles, or optimum leg extension angles. We would just like something a little less dramatic, and that is also, OK. This isn’t Russia is it? I didn’t think so. We are all allowed to have opinons last time I checked.
Spot
wrongo.
As a sponsor of one of the pros, I loved it. I have been waiting years for this kind of coverage.
Hey guys,
Does anyone know if there will be a re-air in Jan or if someone can post it on YouTube? I know the coverage is not as good as it was but it still provides motivation for the long cold winter!
Thanks, BR
I guess in a way I can understand why some IM fans want to see more of the “actual” race- and by that I mean the race for podium spots in both pro and AG divisions. Yes, eveyone is certainly entitled to express their displeasure for the show’s race coverage. After all, we are not in Russia or any other country that would prohibit free expression of opinion.
What really surprises me, though, is the way in which ST’er voice that opinion. I think that one can express an opinion without insulting those who are covered for their courage to overcome adversity. The “disease of the week” and reference to hoping that someone is dead in a year comments come to mind. I don’t see how that can be seen as promoting “race” coverage- the message is lost in insensitivity or downright ugliness. Maybe some have chosen their words poorly, maybe not. I don’t know…
I agree Erik- it is pretty sad that some folks get so nasty about something so positive.
I think you misunderstood my point. I was replying to Eric Clark who said IM Triathletes felt “entitled”. I was merely pointing out most of the criticisim was from those who were not there! That doesn’t mean you don’t have a right to your opinion. The athletes that were there didn’t get to see the live feed. They were busy racing. I was curious on how many of them complained about the show. It was a simple, honest question with no implications attached.
Of course its ok to complain on a public forum or offer an opinion. Just like I did. What makes someone “self absorbed” is to think that the show only should appeal to triathletes and not the general viewing public. You post doesn’t fit that, so no need to defend. Believe me, triathletes are by far the minority of the viewing audience of the 2 hour NBC program.
In my opinion, this years show was very balanced between human interest and pro race coverage. Would I like to see more AG coverage? Yes, because that’s my main interest, but I understand why its not going to happen and don’t complain.
There is a difference between and opinion and a complaint.
That’s because your pro got TONS of airtime. 
I totally agree with Prevost, Eric and Epiclesis…you just can’t satisfy everyone with one type of coverage and we are fortunate that there was the live coverage and then the NBC broadcast.
wrongo.
Ok I was wrong
1
I agree Erik- it is pretty sad that some folks get so nasty about something so positive.
It reminds me of the time I was at the zoo at the elephant exhibit watching a mother elephant with her brand new baby. They were both beautiful, magnificent creatures, and I was just in awe watching them. Then this guy beside me pointed at a pile of elephant dung and said, “Isn’t that the biggest pile of shit you’ve ever seen in your life?”
In life, some people watch the elephants and some people just can’t help but wallow in the shit.
It doesn’t make us bad people, or self-absorbed, or anti-triathletes to wish that a little bit more of the drama of the actual race was shown… ** **
What drama? As a matter of fact the pro race was covered very well. They made it seem closer than it really was. What more do you people want to see?
You’re right, of course. Everyone should want exactly what you want, and like what you like.
Spot