Let athletes’ parents perform an Olympic “reality show”? NBC sparks controversy and backlash
Will the programming of entertainment reality shows be applied to the Paris Olympics?
NBC is considering having parents of athletes at the Paris Olympics wear monitors that would track heart rates and anxiety levels, and the data would be made public as their children compete, according to multiple media reports.
However, this behavior triggered widespread controversy and opposition. Many sports viewers believed that doing so would make the Olympics look "like a reality show full of sad stories." The focus of the Olympics should be exciting competitions, not these " Insignificant things”.
Previously, NBCUniversal purchased the broadcast rights to the Paris Olympics for US$7.65 billion and arranged approximately 7,000 hours of game coverage and related programs for this summer's event.
In order to attract more viewers, this Olympic broadcast platform has taken many "innovative" measures. First, they hired rapper Snoop Dogg as a special correspondent, and then they planned to put heart rate monitors on the parents of athletes.
"We have to innovate, try different things and try to catch up with the media environment of 2024." NBC Sports President Rick Cordra said. NBC is reportedly considering finding sponsors for the segment.
Participating in the Olympics is not easy, nor is it easy to witness your children participating in the Olympics. Watching your children work hard day and night to reach the stage they have always dreamed of is a dream come true moment for parents, but it also means tremendous pressure. .
A survey shows that 25% of the parents of these athletes will feel anxious, and 25% may suffer from insomnia. NBC has seized on this point, hoping to bring more novel gimmicks to the broadcast.
But this novel idea is also facing a lot of resistance, and many people don't think it is a good idea.
Some media have tried this approach in sports competitions before, but the response from the audience was mediocre. Most people still want to see the exciting and intense competition itself on the broadcast platform.
In addition to the objections of the audience, whether these parents are willing to publish their electrocardiograms and whether they agree to make their reactions to the public when watching their children play are also issues that NBC needs to consider.