NBC's coverage of the men's final at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships this month in St. Paul won't be aired live, but it will get prime-time treatment.
The Chicago Tribune reported this week that in part because of the strike by the Writers Guild of America, the network has moved the telecast of the men's final to 6-8 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 27.
NBC originally was slated to broadcast "Dateline" in that slot but can use the program at a later date to sub for a show that is affected by the strike. The men's final originally was scheduled to be shown from 3-5 p.m. that Sunday from the Xcel Energy Center.
While having the event on tape-delay might be considered a negative by some, the fact it's being moved into prime time means more people will have a chance to watch because viewership levels increase in the evening.
The championships, which move to NBC this year after 43 years on ABC, will have two days of coverage on the network. On Jan. 26, NBC will be on from 3-5 p.m. and then 7-10 p.m., with the women's final airing in prime time that evening.
JUDD ZULGAD
