Various polls taken on Monday indicate that approximately 1 billion people, or 15 percent of the world, tuned in to the opening ceremonies of the 2008 Olympic Opening Ceremonies in Beijing. NBC has certainly scored a much-needed ratings gold mine with this (they held off showing the Opening Ceremonies for 12 hours in order to reach a prime-time audience).

Admittedly, I was hesitant when I heard the Olympics were in Beijing (I still am). They don't have the best record for human rights. I was worried that the revolution would begin sometime during the track and field events.

Amid controversy and the threat of certain world leaders boycotting the upcoming Beijing Olympics, the word came out yesterday that President George W. Bush would attend the opening ceremonies. According to the Hollywood Reporter, this is good news for NBC, and the companies that have bought advertising for the Games.

While I can see how a boycott based on human rights abuses in China and Tibet would be a serious problem for the network -- and it still may lose viewers who choose to individually tune out rather than give positive sanction to China's misdeeds by watching -- I don't see how NBC can think a Bush appearance will bolster ratings.