The historic performance of Michael Phelps in the Beijing Olympic 2008 Games in China has helped NBC to record ratings. Not wanting to wait 4 more years to ride on Michael Phelps’s wave again in the 2010 Olympics in London, NBC has acquired the rights to telecast next year’s World Swimming Championship in Rome, July-August 2009 .
In addition to the World Swimming Championship, NBC has snapped up the next three national swimming championships, 2009-11.
Michael Phelps has confirmed that he would participate in the next Olympics and World Swimming Championships and would also like to take part in the national championships.
It is nice to see how Michael Phelps is helping revive the public interest in professional swimming. He has repeatedly stated that he mission now is to promote swimming and help the next generation of swimmers. I think more athletes should be this passionate and productive about their craft.
Reviving Olympic Sports
NBC Stalks Michael Phelps With New Championships Coverage
Trend Themes
1. Increased Coverage of Olympic Sports - The acquisition of rights by NBC to broadcast swimming championships signals a growing interest in televising Olympic sports beyond just the games themselves.
2. Revival of Public Interest in Professional Swimming - Michael Phelps' historic performance has sparked renewed enthusiasm for professional swimming and presents opportunities for marketing and sponsorship.
3. Athlete-driven Promotion - Phelps' mission to promote swimming highlights the potential for athletes to take a more active role in promoting their sport and attracting new participants.
Industry Implications
1. Sports Broadcasting - The increased coverage of Olympic sports presents opportunities for broadcasters to expand their content portfolio and attract larger audiences.
2. Sports Marketing - The revival of public interest in professional swimming opens up possibilities for brands to engage with a passionate and dedicated fan base.
3. Athlete Development - The athlete-driven promotion of sports provides opportunities for organizations involved in athlete training and development to collaborate with passionate athletes.