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Show 10 u o u NBC dominates news network presence at Beijing Olympics David Bauder THE ASSOCIATED PRESS RAISE YOUR HANPS OHIO THE HEAVENS ANP for certain hours. Helicopters are banned from flying over the landmark to film the mara- CL zo News could rent a thon. NBC would like to see more openness, but is continuing dispersonalities cussions with Chinese authorigoing to Beijing to cover the Olympics: Brian Williams, Tom ties, said Dick Ebersol, chairBrokaw, Matt Lauer, Meredith man of NBC Universal Sports. "China's new to the world Vieira, Ann Curry, Lester Holt, Richard Engel and Kevin in terms of any level of openTibbies among them. ness," Ebersol said. "It's realty a whole new thing for them. CBS considered sending I clearly see in the seven Harry Smith, but decided that we've been in busiis it and years Barry sending against ness with them, I clearly see Peterson. Weekend anchor David Muir is ABCs biggest change. I think it's a whole kind of learning experience for name heading to Asia. Dana them." Lewis is Fox News Channel's NBC is ready to cover lone representative. CNN is stories as they come up, but largely handling the story "we're not going to cavalierly through its Beijing bureau, r Ander... blow out sporting events to frequent-fliekeeping show news," Ebersol said. son Cooper at home. 00 oo ID Asia-Pacif- 20 Union. As has often been the case in Chinese history, Tiananmen Square is a symbol. The Chinese first closed it to media, then said it will only be open NBCs biggest news presence will be on the "Today" show, which will bring its full team of Lauer, Vieira, Curry and Al Raker. The morning show will broadcast from the Olympic Green, which gives easy access to athletes, said Steve Capus, NBC News president, who will also be there. "If you're a journalist in 2008, you want to be in Beijing to watch how China handles hosting the Olympic games," Capus said. "I think it's a fascinating story." Williams will anchor some "Nightly News" broadcasts from China and Brokaw will contribute historical vignettes. Because China is 12 hours ahead of the eastern U.S. time zone, Williams will do "Nightly" at dawn while "Today" is operating at sundown. NBC is As a rights-holde"uniquely positioned" to cover stories, Capus said. It's not something new; the recent death of Jim McKay was a reminder of how ABC was best in place to cover the kidnapping and murder of Israeli athletes in 1972. "We're going to have access to certain areas that aren't otherwise available," he said. "That goes with the territory and we look forward to it." Besides those competitive disadvantages, rival networks have to decide how much time and money they want to spend covering Olympic games that are unfolding on NBC, effectively promoting it. They won't admit it, but that's partly why other networks aren't sending anywhere near talent or numbers the that NBC is sending. SAW S plane just for the NBC news Guess which network's sports division paid nearly $900 million for the rights to ' televise the Olympics? The rapid change oc curing in China means there's likely to be more news beyond sports in Beijing than most Olympics. Television news organizations face many challenges, including the decision of how much money and personnel they should devote to an event where NBC has the insider's edge. "It makes our lives difficult," said Paul Friedman, senior vice president of CBS News. "But what we'll do is what everyone in this situation does. You go and look for the stories around the Olympics that you can get access to and this time around they may be as interesting as the Olympics themselves.'' First, they must get to the stories. News organizations have complained for months about the difficulty in dealing with Chinese authorities unused to the concept of a free press. Several weeks ago a " reporter from a German tele- vision station that had rights to the games had police stop a live interview on the Great Wall of China. Broadcasters were given the commitment that they will be able to operate freely and without severe restrictions. Whether that will happen remains a mystery, said John Barton, director of sport for the Broadcasting YOU SHAH PE z otc 1 tee 7) , I COAST 6UAPP H a. .li ARE VOL) . V-- j IDEM! fit ITWWEHTOU TOWtf? LU ll O i zoc o as in s r xAxmJ TIP I x FOUR'- - SMOTHER (g t Crab fifi I s 7ITK HIM WITH KINDNESS AND THE OCCASIONAL) VsANDy f mfi: SM r, st W ' 12 YEARS AGO... IIP THIS HOUSE 9 (cAR ! TO ELABORATE? If WEU, ITS |