The last time the ladies were on prime time on NBC on Saturday was 2017. In 2018, the Men’s LP took the Sat. Primetime spot but not on NBC but NBCSN while NBC played a NFL wildcard playoff game.
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In 2019, the free dance was on
prime time on NBCSN while NBC played the NHL All-Star game.
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In 2020, the free dance and pairs played on Saturday prime time on NBCSN while NBC decided to play the NHL All-Star game.
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Tomorrow, NBC has an NFL Game. Not just any game but the AFC Divisional Playoff.
In a way, Ladies is still considered a “premier” event because it’s the only figure skating event at Nationals to be played on network television during primetime.
NBC has had NFL rights since 2006, and I don’t know what happened but Nationals used to be able to take place on a week where there was no playoff game but it seems it’s happening now or during the NHL All-Star game. Nationals network coverage seems subject to the whims of bigger sports. I remember when the Ladies LP for 2002 (an Olympic year and with Kwan!) had to be bumped to ABC Family after being originally planned for Saturday primetime on ABC because the football playoff schedule got delayed due to 9/11 and a game was now scheduled for the same night and ABC still played football during that time.